We are so excited to snatch up a little fat quarter and take it home….but now what?! How do we get this fat, kind of lop sided piece into something that is useable?
If I don’t have something in mind or you are not making a big fat quarter quilt or bag…then it kind of just sits there on the shelf {still looking pretty though}. Waiting, waiting.
Today we will tackle the fear that we have of cutting our fabric…..
What’s the size of a fat quarter compared to a regular cut quarter? It’s the same size actually, but the ‘fat’ refers to it being cut into a square piece instead of a long and skinny piece. It can be more useful sometimes to gather fabric in this size, and to use, depending on the pattern.
To cut a fat quarter from one yard of fabric you would fold the yard in half, typically this measurement is 42″. Open the fabric and cut on the fold line. This will give you two big chucky fat quarters sized 18″ X 21″
There are a few ways to get them into workable ‘normal’ or common shapes and sizes.
First off, let’s figure out How To Cut Up A Fat Quarter Into Popular Precut Sizes With No Waste (two layer cakes, four charm squares and one jelly roll slice).
Depending on what sizes your patches or squares that you cut- Each one will have a little bit of extra or ‘wasted’ strip {never do I waste this strip though!}
Or you could cut it into 4– 9″ squares-
You can also get 25 patches that are 3 1/2 inch (cut size) squares.
16 patches that are 4 1/2 inch (cut size) squares.
12 patches that are 5 inch (cut size) squares.
How about half square triangles–
You can get 40 half-square triangles for 3 inch patches from a fat quarter. To get them, you would cut squares that measure 3 7/8 inches –match them up right sides together to a different 3 7/8 inch square, draw a line from corner to corner, sew on each side of the drawn line, cut on the drawn line. half square triangle.
You can get 24 half-square triangles for 4 inch patches from a fat quarter. Follow the above instructions, cutting the squares to measure 4 7/8 inches.
Use any of these to mix and match also -for instance 10 3 1/2″ squares and 20 half square triangles.
How about strips only?
7– 2 1/2 strips
6– 3″ strips
phew! So many numbers….they have you spinning? Me too!
The purpose of all of this it to show you that pre cut fabric can be great…but sometimes we need some help to think outside of the box. Show you that you can move beyond the size that was given to you, and put it into something that is workable, more your style if you need to.
Never will the fat quarter stump you again!
If you need help remembering what sizes those precut fabrics are– clickety click here to download your own precut fabric size chart you can carry in your wallet!
Here are all the printable cards too just in case you need something different.
Learn how to fold your fat quarters {if you’re not cutting them up}
Make a Fat Quarter Christmas Tree
Add up your fabric requirements here.
Becky Jorgensen is the creative quilter behind Patchwork Posse, the Patchwork Planner and her online quilt group Patchworkers Plus. You can find her patterns in books, magazines, and her quilt membership. Gather your quilting supplies, organize your sewing space, explore the process of disappearing quilt blocks, or finish a free quilt pattern. I'll help you use what you have, finish what you start and make your quilting journey fun!
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Hello Becky, I like the layer cake size with the 5″, great for the drunkerds path I am working on…….
Layer cakes are a bunch of fun aren’t they?!
My problem is that I just don’t want to cut them up until I know what I am using them for! LOL Sure enough I will find a project that starts with…take a fat quarter(s) and….
Thanks for the ideas though I can see some of my fq’s heading that way
My favorite right now are all strips cut length wise in various sizes.
Judy- I love the various sizes idea…
Thanks for doing all that math for us! I know some of us can get intimidated by it.
thanks! I’ve pinned this!
Thanks for the info this is very helpful and I really appreciate your chart.
I think you missed a step. A fat quarter is cut from ONE HALF yard of fabric.
T’would be really nice to be able to print those diagrams of the fat quarter cuts. “Print selection” does not work well….cuts the diagram in half. Same goes for some of your tutorials….would love to be able to pirnt them. Thanks, Becky.
i was wondering it made sense to cup all 4 sides of the fat quarters to make all sides even?
Really, you just need one side even when you begin cutting. It can be squared up later when you cut into smaller pieces. Does that make sense?
Hello, I purchased some moda 1/8 fat quarters – I do not know whether to wash or not wash before starting my quilt, can you assist? I’m afraid they might shrink? what do you think? Thank you in advance.
I’m a male piecer (I don’t quilt, I piece) and I came into possession of a stack of 9-inch square — like layer cake squares, but 9″ instead of 10″. Can you steer me toward some patterns that will help me make a quilt top out of them? Then I’ll take it to a longarm owner to have it quilted. Thanks, in advance, for your reply.
So, how do you cut a fat eighth? Didn’t see it described here. Thx.
Do you have pictures of any of the quilts from the fat quarters.
Th!nk you,