What is a fat quarter? How do I use a fat quarter? Is a fat quarter better than a ¼ yard? If you are new to quilting, chances are these are all questions you'd like somebody to answer! Well, that's what we're going to do. This article will answer all of your questions surrounding fat quarters!
What Is A Fat Quarter?
There are actually two different kinds of fat quarters. Imperial fat quarters and metric fat quarters. Here at Lindley, we sell imperial fat quarters, so that's what we're going to talk about today.
An imperial fat quarter is typically 21" to 24" wide by 18". It's actually a half yard that has been cut at the fold as you can see by the diagram below.
Why Not A ¼ Yard?
The diagrams below demonstrate how a fat quarter can be a lot less wasteful. The first example shows how you can get more 5" squares out of a fat quarter than a ¼ yard, resulting in a lot less wasted fabric. You cannot efficiently use a quarter yard with this size block.
But this second example shows how there is no difference between a fat quarter and a ¼ yard when cutting 9" squares. Either way, you still only get 4 squares.
For this reason, if a pattern calls for fat quarters, it's safe to assume that ¼ yards might not work, and vice versa. If it truly doesn't matter, the pattern designer will say something like "(12) fat quarters or (12) ¼ yards". This indicates that the pattern will work with either.
Using Fat Quarters
Fat quarters are a popular fabric cut in the quilting world today. A lot of modern quilt patterns are written for fat quarters/fat quarter bundles. Fat quarter bundles allow you to create a scrappy-looking quilt very easily without having to spend years collecting fabrics. Fat quarter bundles also mean that you don't have to try and match/coordinate the fabrics in your quilt. For these reasons, fat quarter bundles make a great option for beginner quilters!
Other Fat Quarter-Friendly Projects:
Fat quarters are great for small projects like potholders, coasters, throw pillows, and even placemats.
Some people prefer them when making bibs, but it depends on what style you are doing. For example, if you wanted to use 2 different fabrics, Fat Quarters are wide enough to make the front of a bib and you wouldn't have to buy 2 different half yards.
Caring for Fat Quarters
Unlike yardage, it is a bad idea to prewash fat quarters or for that matter, any type of precut. With smaller cuts of fabric, you can lose so much with fraying and shrinkage that you might not be able to use it in your project. When quilting with fat quarters and precuts, it's best to finish your quilt completely (all the way to binding) before washing it.
