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  • When is a fat quarter not a fat quarter?

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    Old 11-15-2010, 01:56 PM
      #11  
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    Well, if they were packaged as FQs, then they should take them back if they are short. Too bad....well, who was it so we all know not to buy FQs there. Thanks.
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    Old 11-15-2010, 02:46 PM
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    Originally Posted by mosquitosewgirl
    I'm really, really frustrated...I bought some fat quarters from a chain fabric retailer that ended up only being 16.5 to 17 by 20 to 21. Just enough short so that I can't get all the blocks that I normally do out of a fat quarter. Even worse, I got the last of these particular FQs. Argh.
    Even though fabric WIDTHS vary, there is absolutely NO EXCUSE for them being only 16-17" long. A yard is 36" and half of that is 18" and always will be! Multiply that inch or 2 shorted by all the thousands of fat quarters sold and what do you have?? A whole lot LESS FABRIC for our $$. IMO this is THEFT or FRAUD, if it is an ongoing practice by the manuf & retailers.
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    Old 11-15-2010, 03:55 PM
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    Walmart and Joann's have let me take material back IF I have original receipt and not cut any off of it. But who takes back material. FQ should be that way to unless reduced.
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    Old 11-15-2010, 04:02 PM
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    Yes, recently purchasing some fabrics on the bolt, I found that they were considerably shorter than the 44". I think this is a new trend that's going to be happening. :( But I wish I had known after purchasing up to the very last inch that was needed.
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    Old 11-15-2010, 04:41 PM
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    I have found that if fabric is 42", that is good! Usually it is less. I always calculate on 40 usable inches.
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    Old 11-15-2010, 04:51 PM
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    Originally Posted by Mariposa
    I have found that if fabric is 42", that is good! Usually it is less. I always calculate on 40 usable inches.
    I do the same, calculate on 40", and I even leave wiggle room there, to allow for trims, so really, I'm calculating on 38"ish, to be safe. I'd rather buy way too much than be one inch too shot, kwim?

    As for the fq's...did you wash them? that might speak for shrinkage, though I never wash fq's...if not, i'd be calling corporate, assuming you haven't cut into them yet.
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    Old 11-15-2010, 05:35 PM
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    a fat quarter is cut by taking a bolt of fabric, cut off a 1/2 yard piece, open that 1/2 yard and cut at the fold. not every bolt of fabric is 40-42" wide...some is only 36" wide which would give you a fat quarter that measured 18" x 18". so it depends on the width of the original fabric, but one measurement should always measure 18"...the second measurement can vary. and i have seen a couple shops that sold pre-washed fat quarters, so those did not measure up either because they had been cut then washed, so some shrinkage happened.


    Originally Posted by mosquitosewgirl
    I'm really, really frustrated...I bought some fat quarters from a chain fabric retailer that ended up only being 16.5 to 17 by 20 to 21. Just enough short so that I can't get all the blocks that I normally do out of a fat quarter. Even worse, I got the last of these particular FQs. Argh.
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    Old 11-15-2010, 05:39 PM
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    I have purchased 1/2 yards of material and was sent material measuring 20-22"L x 36"w instead of 44L" x 18w"
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    Old 11-15-2010, 05:40 PM
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    I have a "sort of" LQS near me. When I buy a FQ, I pay for a quarter metre but get a quarter yard. THAT ticks me off!
    really couldn't she just give her customers the 20" and make us feel good? Bummer!
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    Old 11-15-2010, 07:19 PM
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    Originally Posted by CarrieAnne
    Ive noticed this lately too, the new stuff seems to be 42 wide now...
    I know. It's just like the cookies you now buy at the grocery store...they are getting smaller and smaller and the prices are going up!
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