debp33

Ditto!

MadQuilter

There are pattern books just for fat quarters. I use mine for the scrappy quilts. Use as I need them and however they fit the bill.

crafty_linda_b

you can check out these sites, the 2nd one is posted here on the board. crafty_linda_b

http://blog.imaginefabric.com/2009/0...t-quarter.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-99353-1.htm
http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/techni...endly_ss1.html
http://blog.craftzine.com/fat_quarter_quilt.jpg

coloradosky

Love fat quarters. Use them for applique.

GrannieAnnie

I'd guess the primary purpose of a fat quarter is to get small amount of fabric in the most useable form. A piece that is 45" wide and 9" long (a quarter of a yard) often will lose a lot when you try to square it up. A quarter of a yard in a "fat" quarter (of a yard) gives more workable area. (size 21 x 18)

JanTx

Love fat quarters. I'm able to get a wider variety of fabrics this way. I've used them for table runners and for quilts. Turning 20 has already been mentioned - I do Turning 12 which uses 12 fat quarters. Cheaper by the Dozen uses 12. Yellow Brick Road uses fat quarters - 6 for a crib size and 12 for a lap size. I have a table runner pattern that uses 3 of them. Several patterns for crib size quilts use 6 - 7 of them.

When you cut a yard into 1/4 yd segments you usually get 4 thin strips of fabric - 9 inches X 42 inches. A Fat Quarter is made by cutting the yard horizontally and vertically so you get 18" X 21" or so.

At quilt shop prices fat quarters make for an expensive yard of fabric - around here they run $2.75 - $3. At the Houston quilt show I found tubs and tubs of them for $1 each. Our quilt shop has a basket in the back where they are 99 cents. Joann's has them for $1.89, but they fold them with a cardboard stiffener which makes me think they are thinner fabric - I haven't bought any so don't really know.

Pattern: Yellow Brick Road - 12 batik fat quarters
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-132228-1.htm

table runner - 3 fq's
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-131033-1.htm

Turning 12 - 12 fq's from a red/white bundle clotilde.com
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-125053-1.htm

Cheaper By the Dozen - from a kit made up of fq's
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-92398-1.htm

You simply can't get the shapes/sizes from a regular 1/4 yard and ... variety!

mcdaniel023

I use them all the time. I am making a queen size Yellow Brick Road, right now. I cut several into strips for my floral log cabin. I love having them.

QuiltnNan

it's a way of getting many patterns that coordinate. if cutting 1/4 yd from the bolt, it's skinny. a fat quarter gives you more room to cut a larger shape.

neeng

I'd really rather buy yardage... apart from the fact it's less expensive for what you get, most of the time I like more than a 1/4 yard. But I have bought a few FQs when I need just a touch of a certain colour, and don't think I need more of it in my stash.

andimcc

Love fat quarters. Addicted to buying them. I do love using them also. Our quilting guild has a drawing every month for one person. We all bring the same color of fat quarters and the person that wins them decides what color to bring next time. It's loads of fun and a nice happy for one person each month.