Frustrated by Fat Quarters
03-04-2014, 10:03 AM
#21
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Camarillo, California
Posts: 35,242
One reason why I hardly ever buy Fat quarters. Either they are not cut quite the right size or.... I decide I like the fabric and now I don't have any left for anything else. Many of the FQ patterns can be cut from yardage. I prefer buying yardage for many reasons, but will occasionally buy a FQ.
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My newest Grandson, Caleb Austin, was born May 29th. I am now Grandma to 4 precious babies. I am so blessed!!!!
03-05-2014, 05:39 AM
#23
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Heart of Colorado's majestic mountains!
Posts: 6,026
Fabric does need to be cut on grain in a quilting project. It does matter when the patches are off grain. When you wash the quilt, they do pull back into their natural state. You can starch them to make them behave when you are making the squares but they do go back to natural when washed. Ann, yes, quilting will hold them down but if you look carefully you will see that they still pull back to their natural grain position. Does it matter? Only if it matters to you. Everyone seeks their own comfort level on this question. I buy yardage to avoid the miscuts that so often come with precuts.
03-05-2014, 08:10 AM
#25
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 18
I am so glad someone brought this subject up. I had such trouble with how the fat quarters I bought several years ago were cut that gave up and I just made it a rule to never buy them again. No selvedges, cut wonky so that when you try to even them up you lose inches, serious unraveling when I pre-washed them.......to me just not worth it. Now that I know others have found similar problems I at least feel better about my decision. Thanks...... Annie Pearl!!
03-05-2014, 09:24 AM
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 7,312
Not all fat Quarters are equal ! I have had some that looked like they were cut by a 5 year old with ADD in the middle of a carnival ! If I am doing a pattern that says you can cut all the pieces from 1 FQ with not much left over ( sorta like a Swoon ) I ALWAYS , ALWAYS, buy 2 ! Because I KNOW, there is going to be a strange cut when I buy it, or Murphys Law says that I will cut something wrong LOL
03-05-2014, 10:41 AM
#29
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lowell, MA
Posts: 14,083
I am probably in the minority, but I seldom buy fat quarters, I'd rather just buy 1/2 yard and then I'm absolutely sure that I will have enough for that particular project, and any extra goes into my scrap basket.
03-05-2014, 05:56 PM
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Upstate NY, north of Syracuse Area
Posts: 6,003
I am happy when my FQs don't have selvedges, that means a little more fabric to use and not have to trim away! I, too, am not concerned if my fabric is a little off grain when I am cutting a piece or two. Perhaps being a scrapper is partly why. Sometimes you just have to get that bit where you can. I do NOT do anything to distort the grain, tho, I just use it as is, so there is no reason for it to "change" when it gets washed.
The only time I am concerned about having the fabric grain is when folding and cutting the strips for borders, binding, strip piecing, etc.
The only time I am concerned about having the fabric grain is when folding and cutting the strips for borders, binding, strip piecing, etc.
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