Frustrated by Fat Quarters
#31
Another thing that can throw your fat quarters off is washing the fabric. I have unfolded them from the store and they look great - I always wash all my fabrics before using and sometimes when they come out of the dryer they don't look the same way they did when they went in. I make dolls and clothes so it isn't so critical for me.
Marysewfun
Marysewfun
#32
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,666
Another thing that can throw your fat quarters off is washing the fabric. I have unfolded them from the store and they look great - I always wash all my fabrics before using and sometimes when they come out of the dryer they don't look the same way they did when they went in. I make dolls and clothes so it isn't so critical for me.
Marysewfun
Marysewfun
I have learned to not try to straighten fabric after it has been washed. It just pulls back to what it wants to do.
#34
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 94
This where KNOWING your quilt store comes into play. My fat quarters are always perfect, with one selvage showing, and cut correctly. If I purchase a fat quarter from an "unknown" establishment, I actually open it up (it's legal!) to SEE what I'm buying.
#36
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Freeport, Pennsylvania
Posts: 148
Also, more frequently these days, I have noticed the fabric width has gone down from 44-45 inches down to 42-43 inches, so that may have an effect on the 22-inch width also if the shops are cutting right down the middle.
I don't know, but I have always preferred half-yard cuts to fat quarters. I just find it is more usable for me. I feel like I am buying a scrap when I buy a FQ.
I don't know, but I have always preferred half-yard cuts to fat quarters. I just find it is more usable for me. I feel like I am buying a scrap when I buy a FQ.
#37
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
I guess I never thought about the selvedge edge being missing from precuts, because I remembered from a junior high school 'Home Economics' class that you could find the straight of grain in small pieces of fabric, if you remember that woven fabric has some 'give' across the grain but almost none on the straight of grain. I just do this automatically when I have an piece that is no longer yardage, before I cut. Doing this will also make it easier to piece because all of the stretchiness will be one direction on any quilt made with right angles, so I get more accuracy. My corners are not always perfect, but at least I know I have done all I can to get it that way. Lol!
#38
#40
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ridgecrest, CA
Posts: 227
I don't buy FQs very often for piecing, but for applique. When I wash them, I have to worry about shrinkage - and some fabrics shrink a lot! I couldn't depend on the amount of fabric available if I used FQs. I prefer to buy yardage for piecing.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
craftybear
Links and Resources
5
09-16-2011 11:03 AM
craftybear
Links and Resources
8
08-25-2011 09:29 PM
craftybear
Links and Resources
10
05-31-2011 03:35 AM
Snorky Lvs2Quilt
Main
16
04-21-2011 09:57 PM