Tonight I discovered fat quarters are different than 1/4 yards

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04-27-2011, 04:24 AM

#41

cabbagepatchkid

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Join Date: Sep 2009

Location: Massachusetts, USA

Posts: 1,775

Quote:

Originally Posted by dixiechunk

Never gave it a thought...doesn't sound like enough fabric to worry about doing that much math! But seriously, now that you got me thinking...I would say a fat 1/8 is half of a FQ (cut perpendicular to the selvedge)or 9X21. Can't wait to see how this one plays out! Big smiley face.

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldswimmer

Well, take heart....there are alot of people out there that have had that moment of not knowing.....AND, there may even be more uncertainty about a fat 1/8th.
I always thought a fat 1/8th was 18X11...what do you all say?

I'm not absolutely sure but I think a fat eighth is a 1/4 yard of fabric that has been cut along the fold line to make 2 fat eighths
:idea:

That was a funny story about the spaghetti :mrgreen: I wonder if she was newlywed and still learning about such things...lol!

04-27-2011, 04:25 AM

#42

marthe brault-hunt

Senior Member

Join Date: Jun 2010

Posts: 416

If this is a quiz, I'll say two fat eights or 2 times 9 in.x22 in.

04-27-2011, 04:51 AM

#43

drdolly

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Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: Iowa

Posts: 475

I figure I am never to OLD to learn, and the saying "live and learn," thanks for the info.

04-27-2011, 05:13 AM

#44

JUNEC

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Join Date: Jan 2010

Location: Clearwater, FL

Posts: 2,328

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Treadler

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeaninmaine

NO, you get two fat quarters out of a half yard. If you fold the half yard selvage to selvage and cut along the fold, you have 2 fat quarters. It's 18 x 22. It's still a quarter of a yard, just cut differently.

Oh boy. I better stop while I'm ahead. LOL. I'll just follow the directions and buy fat quarters next time! :shock:

The problem I see with cutting your fat quarter -by folding the selvage to selvage & cutting - is that fabrics are 45" wide most fabics have a 1/2" white selvage telling you the fabric info-
Unless you cut off the selvage before you cut your fabric in half - The FQ with selvage, is going to be a "want to be FQ"

04-27-2011, 05:19 AM

#45

ScrappyAZ

Senior Member

Join Date: Mar 2011

Location: Sun City, AZ

Posts: 400

When I first started quilting, a friend took me to a quilt store and told me I should buy several fat quarters. I didn't put much thought into why they were called fat quarters. I just thought that was what they were called. Lucky for me, I was pretty naive because it never occurred to me that they were quarter yard fabrics.

04-27-2011, 05:20 AM

#46

Happy Treadler

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Thread Starter

Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: Pennsylvania

Posts: 732

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldie

I have a great t-shirt that says: A fat quarter is not a body part! :D

I LOVE this! Where'd you get it?? :) I am getting SEW enlightened by this topic. I always found it funny that I love to quilt but hate math.

04-27-2011, 05:34 AM

#47

Goldie

Member

Join Date: Nov 2010

Posts: 39

Got it years ago at a shop, but haven't seen one since. Wish I would since it is wearing out. :thumbdown:

04-27-2011, 05:35 AM

#48

tntgranny

Senior Member

Join Date: Jan 2010

Location: NW Chicago Suburb

Posts: 379

Just remember - a "fat quarter" is not a body part. (Quote from my husband.)

04-27-2011, 05:40 AM

#49

LindaaJR

Senior Member

Join Date: Mar 2011

Location: South Central PA

Posts: 326

What I get from this post is to always buy 1/2 yard then you will have 2 fat quarters one to use and one to stash or trade. Am I correct in this thinking? I never understood what the difference was so glad this was brought up today. (I am a newby) Take care.
Linda