What is a Fat Quarter?
Fat Quarter Size?
What and How big is a fat quarter?
Dimensions of a quarter?
I don’t know about you, but when it comes to pre-cuts in fabric, or sizes of just regular cuts, my brain goes to mush. I can’t remember.
I mix them up…. is a fat quarter size is 18″? 19″?
What is a fat quarter again?
I usually hold up my hands and think to myself– what is a fat quarter again? – it’s about that size. Right? You, I am sure, remember them much better than I.
You can quickly recall to your sewing buddies the right size. If that’s you, then please ignore this post. For the rest of us– I have come up with a solution.
Fat Quarter Size – Free Printable Chart
A little business card that holds all fat quarter size dimensions. You can stuff it into a pocket in your purse or bag and whip it out when the mind fails you.


Besides all of the ‘fat’ sizes, fabric now comes in pre-cuts. There are some super fun ones out there, and now there are tiny ones and triangles! Who would have thought that we don’t like the cutting method so much and we are going for quick- so these pre-cuts are handy and we love them!
So–
What is a quarter of fabric?
A quarter of fabric is a square quarter of a yard.
Let’s go over how this works out.
If you get your fabric bolt cut on the quarter measurement…..it’s a long strip of fabric.
Now, this is handy but sometimes it just won’t work for what you need!
You are needing something a little bit larger than 9 inches….. but not more fabric though!
What is a fat quarter of fabric?
Well- a FAT quarter of fabric means that you are getting the same amount of fabric…but it’s in a square shape instead of a long strip.
The fabric cutter will take one yard of fabric and cut it in half….and then cut it in half again, leaving the pieces a large square.
The fabric is sold by the yard, so if you got one yard of fabric it would 36 inches long by 44 inches wide.
If you got a half yard it would be 18 inches long by 44 inches wide.
If you wanted a quarter of a yard it would be 9 inches long by 44 inches wide.
Dimensions of a Quarter~
The dimensions of a fat quarter, however, is cut 18 inches long by 22 inches wide.

What is a Fat Quarter Size: Here are all the other sizes- just in case you needed to know right now….
Fat quarter 18″ X 22″
Fat Eighth 9″ X 21″
Charm Pack 5″ X 5″
Mini Charms 2 1/2″ X 2 1/2″
Jelly Roll 2 1/2″ X 45″ or Width of Fabric
Layer Cake 10″ X 10″
Turnover 6″ triangle
Honey Bun 1 1/2″ X 45″ or Width of Fabric
One Yard 36″ X 45″ or Width of fabric
Dessert Roll 5″ X 45″ or Width of fabric
Honeycomb Hexagons 6″
Now that you know what is a fat quarter— what can you do with it?
The large square of fabric is quite usable. There are a few options that could be useful, depending on the project you are working on.
Just in case you wanted to know how many squares you can cut from a fat quarter piece-
Size of Fat Quarter Squares~
99 | 2″ squares |
56 | 2 1/2″ squares |
42 | 3″ squares |
30 | 3 1/2″ squares |
20 | 4″ squares |
16 | 4 1/2″ squares |
12 | 5″ squares |
12 | 5 1/2″ squares |
9 | 6″ squares |
6 | 6 1/2″ squares |
You can quickly download the what is a fat quarter and other precut fabric sizes card here.
It is a pdf file and will print off 10 business card sized charts per page.
pdf file pre cut fabric sizes card–> inside the Quilt Library
You can easily share all your knowledge with your sewing friends.
Fabric Sizes Printable Cards pdf Download –Get the password for the library
Already have the password? Access it here: Quilting Resource Library
Is there anything missing from the list? What else should be on there? Leave me a note in the comments-
For a bit more fun– check out cutting your fat quarters up…what can you get out of it?
More things to do and make with fat quarters
How to fold your fat quarter fabrics
How to cut your fat quarter up
Fold your fat quarter into a tree (just for fun)

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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Thank you so much for this. It is just soooo helpful and so are you.
Patti xxx
One to keep, 9 to share! Thanks for collecting all that info into one place! I’ve linked to your printable over at Craft Gossip:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/freebie-precut-fabric-dimensions-business-card-printable/2013/09/16/
–Anne
thanks so much becky! I have been so completely confused about all the precut sizes! this clears everything up so much! I’m so happy I have you for an online buddy!! kathleen
Kathleen- thanks for stopping by and yes, I am glad that I am not alone in the confused department! 🙂
Was not able to download printable chart. Can you help?
This is such great information but sadly I cannot get the download to work. 🙁
Please ignore my last comment. I didn’t realize I had to hide the banner in order for the page to go to craftsy. Thank you very much for this. 🙂
this would be so very useful if the link weren’t broken, tried to click to down load and
I get a page with logos for pintrest etc not a printable chart
check your browser blocker. sometimes the link won’t open because it is blocked.
Sue, don’t click on the pin button. that will take you to pinterest. Click on the picture itself. Hope that helps-
Thank you for the measurements!!! I just cut a bunch of vintage sheet fat quarters to sell at an upcoming flea market. Now I’ll get busy on fat eighths, charms, layer cakes, turnovers from the scraps. That is after a have a snack…those descriptions made me hungry!!!
Thank you for the fat quarters measurements,very helpful
How about adding a spot to tell how much each packet of pre-cut fabric is equal to in yardage?
terrie- that sounds like a great idea…i’ll look into it!
I hit “Click to Download” the business size card of measurements & it took me to a Craftsy site. No where did I see the card of measurements. it’s a great idea as I am very new to this but found getting the print out was way to frustrating. thanks anyway
Not being a quilter yet, about how many of these would you need for a non-fancy quilt top?
I work in a quilt shop and I’m forever answering the question “How wide is this fabric?” Most bolts say 44/45″ on them, but don’t count on it. They are usually 42/43″. When figuring fabric amounts most experts say to figure on 42″ of usable fabric (with selvedges removed) We tell customers that a fat quarter is 18 x 21″ at least, and a fat eight is half a fat quarter cut the WOF =9×21″. I just worry that people will think they are getting 3″ more fabric than they actually are and will be messed up. One fabric that can sometimes be 45″ are the yarn died plaids, but that isn’t for sure either. Sure wish the manufacturers would change the bolt info. It would make life easier for us shop gals! !
The Fat Quarter Shop has one called the Jolly Bar. It’s 5″ x 10″ or 1/2 of a layer cake.
Thanks. Great chart! I thought I’d laminate some for my quilty friends. But…wait…no Jelly Rolls?
Is there any way I can get the print out of the charts? I tried, but it says the page isn’t found.
Your list is wonderful! The only measure missing is the one I’m looking for, a fat half. lol Hands on Designs has designed a 12 Days of Christmas cross stitch set to be stitched on Weeks Dye Works 28 count Aztec gingham. She noted on her blog if you bought a fat half and cut them out 9″ X 9 (4 on the 36″ side and 3 on the other side), you would have enough linen to complete the set. But the measurements on the side opposite the 36″ side remains a mystery. Thanks so much!
A metric conversion chart would be great. Thank you Becky!
I am new at this quilting but I haven’t heard of a Dessert Roll?
You don’t have the Jelly Roll on your list?
Do they sell Fat Eighth, or Dessert Roll anywhere?
Thank you for all your shares, really appreciate sharing tips and tricks, where as some seem to think they need to charge for sharing these things my mothers friends just shared because they loved their craft. New world….!
What is a fat fifth
I haven’t heard of that one! hmmmm.. this is what i found: Fat Fith is 40cm x 50cm (approx. 15.75″ x 19.70″)
Hi there. Your fat quarter info looks really good. I can not see a Long Quarter.. Can you tell me what that actually is in size.
The regular quarter cut is 9″ by the width of fabric – usually 40-45″
I would like to know where the term fat fifth comes from and how the dimensions are determined. From the information I have found the measurements are 15.75†x 19.70†which doesn’t relate to any fabric measurements I am familiar with.
You didn’t say how many layer cake pieces in a fat quarter.