What is a Fat Quarter vs. a Quarter Yard of Fabric?
ZJ HumbachDescription
When it comes to buying fabric there are many options. You can purchase any length of fabric you want from off a bolt or you can buy pre cut pieces or bundles of fabric. One of the more popular pre-cut pieces of fabric available today is a fat quarter. ZJ Humbach teaches you what is a fat quarter, exactly how much fabric it is and how it is different from a quarter yard of fabric.
Understand Fabric Yardage
Quilting fabric can be purchased off of a bolt in lengths of anything from a few inches to a few yards. While the length of the fabric you purchase can differ drastically the width is generally consistent- anywhere from 42″ to 44″. Fabric is folded when it is stored on a bolt so when it is being cut the width of fabric you see is around 21″, folded in half. A quarter yard of fabric is 9″, making the total size of fabric purchased when getting a quarter yard 9″ x the width of fabric, generally 42″ to 44″. So, what is a fat quarter? ZJ shows what a quarter yard of fabric looks like and compares it to a fat quarter of fabric. Fat quarters measure approximately 18″ x 21″. An easy way to visualize and understand what a fat quarter is and how it is cut is to think of a quarter yard of fabric that has been cut where the fold is into two 9″ x 21″ pieces. One of those pieces is then laid next to the other, creating an 18″ x 21″ piece of fabric, known as a fat quarter.
Buying Fabric Tips to Get the Right Amount
Understanding what is a fat quarter makes them more useful to have when planning out a quilt. And, while most quilters don’t generally need extra reasons to buy more fabric, ZJ explains why fat quarters are handy to have in every fabric stash. She also explains when and why you might want to buy a fat quarter over a quarter yard of fabric, or the other way around.
Share tips, start a discussion or ask one of our experts or other students a question.
Already a member? Sign in
3 Responses to “What is a Fat Quarter vs. a Quarter Yard of Fabric?”
Premium Membership
Unlock exclusive member content from our industry experts.
- 24/7 Access to Premium Quilting Videos, Projects, and Tips
- Step-by-Step Instructional Demos, Patterns, and Tutorials
- 50% Off Video Downloads Purchased in the National Quilters Circle Shop
- Access to Ask the Expert Program
Unlock exclusive member content from our industry experts.
- 24/7 Access to Premium Quilting Videos, Projects, and Tips
- Step-by-Step Instructional Demos, Patterns, and Tutorials
- 2 Full-Length Video Downloads to Watch Offline
- 50% Off Video Downloads Purchased in the National Quilters Circle Shop
- Access to Ask the Expert Program
Gold Membership
$336 Value
Get everything included in Premium plus exclusive Gold Membership benefits.
- 24/7 Access to Premium Quilting Videos, Projects, and Tips
- Step-by-Step Instructional Demos, Patterns, and Tutorials
- 8 Full-Length Video Downloads to Watch Offline
- 3 Full-Length Quilting Classes to Keep for Life
- 2 Printable Quilting Guides
- Discounts on Purchase-to-Own Content in the National Quilters Circle Shop
- Access to Ask the Expert Program
- Exclusive GOLD LIVE Streaming Events
It would have been helpful to unfold the quarter-yard to show that it's two layers, 42" x 8". Beginners might not understand that, because it's never shown. Thanks for everything else being clear, though.
Ok.... trying to find an easy way for my mind to remember this, a 1/4 yard is basically 9" x 42" which is folded in half on the bolt. A fat quarter is 18" x 21". If length is needed then the yardage is better. So, reading the pattern instructions is a great idea, like you stated in the video, before picking out and cutting any fabric. If you calculate the square footage, they are the same.
the dotted green is folded, right? It didn't show even though she mentioned 42".