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Quilter’s Guide: How Many Fat Quarters Are In A Yard
How many fat quarters are in a yard? A yard of cloth that is about 44 inches wide holds four fat quarters. A fat quarter is a special cut of cloth. It measures about 18 inches long and 22 inches wide. This size is great for many sewing projects, especially quilts.
Grasping Fabric Yardage
Cloth for sewing often comes in long rolls. Shops sell this cloth by the yard or by the meter. A yard is a measure of length. It is 36 inches long. Think of a ruler. A yard is three of those rulers put together. When you buy cloth by the yard, you get a piece that is 36 inches long. The other size of the cloth is its width.
Standard Fabric Width
Cloth comes in different widths. The most common width for cloth used in quilting is about 44 inches. Sometimes it is a bit wider, like 45 inches. This is called the standard fabric width. So, when a quilter buys one yard of fabric, they usually get a piece that is 36 inches long and 44 inches wide. This standard width is important for figuring out fabric size.
Buying Fabric By The Yard
When people buy fabric by the yard, they ask for a certain length. They might ask for one yard, two yards, or half a yard. The shopkeeper cuts the cloth from the roll. The cut is made across the width of the cloth. So, if you buy two yards of 44-inch wide cloth, you get a piece that is 72 inches long (36 inches * 2) and 44 inches wide. Buying fabric by the yard gives you one long piece. This is good for bigger quilt parts or dressmaking.
Deciphering Fat Quarters
A fat quarter is a popular way to buy cloth for quilting. It is not cut the same way as a regular quarter yard. This gives it a different shape. That shape is very useful for quilters.
What Size Is A Fat Quarter?
A fat quarter has a specific size. It is cut from a yard of cloth. First, imagine one yard of cloth that is 44 inches wide and 36 inches long. Cut this yard in half lengthwise. You get two pieces. Each piece is 44 inches wide and 18 inches long (36 inches / 2). Now, cut each of these pieces in half across the width. You cut the 44-inch side in half. You get two pieces that are 22 inches wide (44 inches / 2) and 18 inches long. These four pieces are fat quarters.
Fat Quarter Dimensions
So, the size of a fat quarter is about 18 inches by 22 inches. Some shops might cut them a tiny bit differently. But the usual fat quarter dimensions are 18 inches by 22 inches. This gives it a shape that is more like a square than a long, thin strip.
Fat Quarter Versus Quarter Yard
It is easy to mix up a fat quarter and a quarter yard. They both use the word “quarter.” But they are cut differently. This gives them very different shapes. Knowing the difference is key for quilters.
Quarter Yard Fabric Size
A regular quarter yard is cut from the cloth roll in the usual way. It is cut 9 inches long (36 inches / 4). The cut is made across the width. So, a quarter yard of 44-inch wide cloth is 9 inches long and 44 inches wide. This piece is a long, thin strip.
Fat Quarter Shape Versus Quarter Yard Shape
Look at the shapes:
* Quarter Yard: 9 inches by 44 inches. Long and thin.
* Fat Quarter: 18 inches by 22 inches. Closer to a square.
The fat quarter shape is often better for cutting out shapes for quilts. You can get bigger pieces or more varied shapes from an 18×22 inch piece than from a 9×44 inch strip. The 9×44 inch strip is useful for borders or sashing (strips of fabric between quilt blocks). But for cutting squares, triangles, or other block pieces, the fat quarter is often better. It uses the cloth more wisely.
Interpreting How Four Fat Quarters Come From A Yard
Let’s look at how the four fat quarters fit into one yard of cloth.
Start with one yard: 36 inches long by 44 inches wide.
Step 1: Cut the yard in half along the length.
* You cut the 36-inch side in half.
* You get two pieces.
* Each piece is 18 inches long by 44 inches wide.
Step 2: Cut each of these two pieces in half along the width.
* You cut the 44-inch side in half on each piece.
* You get two pieces from the first half (18×44). These are 18 inches long by 22 inches wide.
* You get two pieces from the second half (18×44). These are also 18 inches long by 22 inches wide.
You now have four pieces. Each piece is 18 inches by 22 inches. These are your four fat quarters.
See how they fit? You start with a 36×44 rectangle. You cut it into four smaller rectangles. Each small rectangle is 18×22.
Here is a simple table to show this:
| Step | Starting Piece | Cut Direction | Resulting Pieces | Size of Each Resulting Piece |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | 1 Yard | None | 1 | 36 inches x 44 inches |
| Cut 1 | 36 inches x 44 inches | Lengthwise | 2 | 18 inches x 44 inches |
| Cut 2 (Piece 1) | 18 inches x 44 inches | Widthwise | 2 (Fat Quarters) | 18 inches x 22 inches |
| Cut 2 (Piece 2) | 18 inches x 44 inches | Widthwise | 2 (Fat Quarters) | 18 inches x 22 inches |
| Total | 1 Yard of Fabric | 4 Fat Quarters | 18 inches x 22 inches each |
This shows clearly how four fat quarters come from one yard of cloth that is 44 inches wide.
Fathoming Why Quilters Use Fat Quarters
Quilters love fat quarters. They are a very popular way to buy cloth. There are good reasons for this.
More Fabric Options
Fat quarters let quilters buy a small amount of many different fabrics. If you need many different colors or designs for a quilt, buying a full yard of each would be very costly. It would also leave you with lots of leftover cloth. With fat quarters, you can get a piece of many different fabrics without spending too much money. This is great for making quilts with many colors or patterns.
Better for Small Pieces
Quilt blocks are often made from small cut pieces of fabric. A fat quarter (18×22 inches) is a good size for cutting these small pieces. You can get more different shapes from a fat quarter than from a long, thin quarter yard (9×44 inches). For example, cutting 6-inch squares:
* From a 9×44 inch strip, you can only cut one row of 6-inch squares (as the width is 9 inches). You could get about seven 6×6 squares (44 / 6 is about 7.3).
* From an 18×22 inch fat quarter, you can cut three rows of 6-inch squares (as the 18-inch side is long enough). You could get about three 6×6 squares per row from the 22-inch side (22 / 6 is about 3.6). In total, you could get about 3 rows * 3 squares/row = 9 squares. You get more squares from the fat quarter. This shows how the fat quarter shape is better for cutting many shapes.
Easy to Store and Handle
Fat quarters are a good size for storing. They fold up nicely. They don’t take up too much space. They are also easy to handle when cutting. A long strip (quarter yard) can be tricky to cut straight. A fat quarter is easier to manage on a cutting mat.
Part of Fabric Collections
Fabric companies often sell fat quarters in sets. These sets have fabrics from one collection. The colors and designs all look good together. Buying a fat quarter set is an easy way to get a nice mix of fabrics for a project.
Planning Your Project: How Many Fat Quarters For A Quilt
One common question is, “How many fat quarters do I need for my quilt?” The answer depends on the size of the quilt and the size of the pieces you will cut from the fat quarters. There is no single answer. But you can figure it out.
Fabric Yardage Calculator Ideas
Quilters often use a fabric yardage calculator or chart. These tools help figure out how much fabric is needed for a quilt of a certain size. These tools usually tell you how many yards you need for the background, borders, backing, etc. But you can also use them to figure out how many fat quarters you might need.
If a pattern tells you you need 1 yard of a certain fabric, you know that is equal to four fat quarters of that fabric. If it says you need half a yard, that is two fat quarters.
But sometimes a pattern will tell you how many fat quarters you need directly. This is common for patterns that use many different fabrics.
Figuring Out Fat Quarter Needs
To figure out how many fat quarters for a quilt, think about the size of your quilt pieces.
Let’s say you are making a quilt from 8-inch squares.
* A fat quarter is 18×22 inches.
* From the 18-inch side, you can cut two 8-inch pieces (2 * 8 = 16, with 2 inches left).
* From the 22-inch side, you can cut two 8-inch pieces (2 * 8 = 16, with 6 inches left).
* From one fat quarter, you can cut 2 x 2 = 4 squares that are 8 inches by 8 inches.
If your quilt needs 20 of these 8-inch squares, you would need 20 squares / 4 squares per fat quarter = 5 fat quarters of fabric that can be cut into these squares.
You need to do this kind of math for each different size of piece you need. Add up the number of fat quarters needed for all the pieces.
Estimating Needs Based on Quilt Size
Here are some very rough ideas of how many fat quarters you might need for different quilt sizes. This is just a guess. It really depends on the pattern and the size of the pieces you cut.
| Quilt Size (Approx) | Number of Fat Quarters (Rough Idea) |
|---|---|
| Baby Quilt (30×40) | 8 – 16 fat quarters |
| Throw Quilt (50×60) | 16 – 30 fat quarters |
| Twin Quilt (70×90) | 30 – 50 fat quarters |
| Queen Quilt (90×100) | 50 – 80+ fat quarters |
Again, this is just a guide. A quilt made of small squares will need more fat quarters (or more fabric) than a quilt made of large blocks. A pattern will give you the exact amounts needed.
Practicing Cutting Fat Quarters
If you buy a yard of fabric and want to make your own fat quarters, you can do that. This lets you turn yardage into the more usable fat quarter shape.
Steps for Cutting Fat Quarters from a Yard
You need a few tools:
* Fabric (1 yard, 44 inches wide)
* Cutting mat
* Rotary cutter
* Long ruler (at least 24 inches is best)
Here are the steps for cutting fat quarters:
- Smooth the fabric: Lay the yard of fabric flat on your cutting mat. Make sure it is smooth. The factory edge (selvage) should be along one side.
- Fold in half: Fold the fabric in half along the length. The selvage edges should be together. The fabric is now 44 inches wide and 18 inches long (36 / 2 = 18).
- Check the edges: Make sure the edges are straight. Use your ruler and rotary cutter to trim off any unevenness along the fold and the selvage edge if needed.
- Cut in half (first cut): Cut the folded fabric in half across the width. You are cutting the 44-inch side in half. You will cut at the 22-inch mark. This cut goes through both layers of cloth.
- Separate the pieces: Unfold the two pieces you just cut. You now have two pieces, each 18 inches by 44 inches.
- Fold each piece: Take one of the 18×44 inch pieces. Fold it in half across the width. The 44-inch side is now folded in half. The piece is now 18 inches by 22 inches, but folded.
- Cut in half again (second cut): Cut this folded piece in half along the fold. This cut is made at the 22-inch mark (44 / 2 = 22). You are cutting the 18×22 inch folded piece at the 22-inch side. This cut goes through both layers.
- Repeat for the other piece: Do step 6 and 7 with the other 18×44 inch piece.
After these steps, you will have four pieces. Each piece is 18 inches by 22 inches. You have successfully cut four fat quarters from one yard of fabric.
Considering Quilting Fabric Measurements
When working with fabric for quilts, different measurements are important. Inches are the most common unit in the US. Yards and fat quarters are standard ways to buy fabric.
Knowing these basic quilting fabric measurements helps you plan and buy fabric for your projects.
- Inch: A small unit of length. Used for cutting pieces for blocks.
- Quarter Yard: 9 inches by the standard width (e.g., 44 inches). Long and thin.
- Fat Quarter: 18 inches by about 22 inches. More square-like.
- Half Yard: 18 inches by the standard width (e.g., 44 inches).
- Yard: 36 inches by the standard width (e.g., 44 inches).
Understanding the relationship between these units is important.
* A Half Yard is two Quarter Yards (18 / 9 = 2).
* A Yard is four Quarter Yards (36 / 9 = 4).
* A Half Yard is two Fat Quarters (18 / 18 = 1 cut, and 44 / 22 = 2 cuts… wait, this needs a different way to explain).
* A Half Yard (18×44) can be cut into two fat quarters (18×22). You just cut the 44-inch side in half.
* A Yard (36×44) can be cut into four fat quarters. We already showed this.
So:
* 1 Yard = 4 Fat Quarters (from 44-inch wide fabric)
* 1/2 Yard = 2 Fat Quarters (from 44-inch wide fabric)
* 1/4 Yard (regular) is NOT a Fat Quarter. It’s a different shape.
Comparing Buying Methods: Fat Quarters vs. Buying By The Yard
Deciding whether to buy fabric as fat quarters or by the yard depends on your project.
When to Buy Fat Quarters
- Your project uses many different fabrics, but only a small amount of each. (e.g., scrap quilts, samplers).
- You need fabric for small pieces that are easier to cut from the 18×22 shape.
- You are building a fabric stash with a variety of colors and patterns.
- You want to buy a fabric collection set.
- You are making a small project that only needs a bit of fabric.
When to Buy By The Yard
- Your project needs a large piece of fabric for a background, borders, or quilt backing.
- Your project uses only a few fabrics, but a lot of each one.
- You need to cut long strips (like for binding or sashing) where the 44-inch width is helpful.
- You are making clothes or home décor items where large continuous pieces are often needed.
Sometimes you might need a mix. For example, you might buy fat quarters for your quilt blocks and buy fabric by the yard for the backing and binding.
Table of Fabric Conversions (Standard 44-inch Width)
This table helps you see the relationship between yards and fat quarters.
| Fabric Amount | Size (Approx. assuming 44″ width) | Equals How Many Fat Quarters | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 Yard | 9 inches x 44 inches | 1/2 (but not a full one!) | This is the long, thin quarter yard |
| 1/2 Yard | 18 inches x 44 inches | 2 | Cut across width at 22 inches |
| 3/4 Yard | 27 inches x 44 inches | 3 | Harder to cut fat quarters evenly |
| 1 Yard | 36 inches x 44 inches | 4 | Our main topic! |
| 1.25 Yards | 45 inches x 44 inches | 5 | |
| 1.5 Yards | 54 inches x 44 inches | 6 | |
| 1.75 Yards | 63 inches x 44 inches | 7 | |
| 2 Yards | 72 inches x 44 inches | 8 | |
| … | … | … | Multiply yards by 4 |
Note that while 1/4 yard is ‘half’ of a fat quarter in terms of area (9×44 = 396 sq in, 18×22 = 396 sq in), you can’t make a fat quarter from a regular 1/4 yard piece because the shapes are wrong. A fat quarter comes from cutting a half yard (18×44) into two pieces.
More Quilting Math and Fabric Yardage Calculators
Let’s look more at figuring out how much fabric you need. A fabric yardage calculator is a tool, often found online, that helps with this. You put in the size of your quilt top, maybe the size of your blocks, and it tells you how much fabric in yards or fractions of yards you need for different parts of the quilt.
If a calculator says you need 0.75 yards of fabric for your sashing, that’s 3/4 of a yard. Can you easily use fat quarters for this? Not really, because fat quarters are cut a specific way. You would likely buy 3/4 yard cut from the bolt, which would be 27 inches long by 44 inches wide.
If the calculator says you need 0.5 yards for a patchwork part, you know that’s half a yard. You could buy 0.5 yards cut from the bolt (18 inches x 44 inches), or you could use two fat quarters (each 18×22). Two fat quarters give you the same total area as a half yard cut in the regular way.
Understanding these quilting fabric measurements is important for using a fabric yardage calculator well. You need to know what the calculator means by “yards” and how that relates to buying fat quarters.
Most quilt patterns will list the fabric needs in yards or fractions of yards. Some newer patterns also list fat quarters. If a pattern says “Use assorted fat quarters,” you’ll need to figure out how many distinct fat quarters you need based on the number of different fabrics used in the design.
For example, a pattern might say:
* Fabric A: 1 yard
* Fabric B: 0.5 yards
* Fabric C: 0.25 yards
* Assorted Prints: 12 fat quarters
Based on what we know:
* Fabric A: 1 yard = 4 fat quarters. You would likely buy this by the yard because it’s a large amount of one fabric.
* Fabric B: 0.5 yards = 2 fat quarters. You could buy 0.5 yards or 2 fat quarters.
* Fabric C: 0.25 yards. This is a regular quarter yard (9×44 inches). You cannot use fat quarters for this amount unless the pattern specifically says “fat eighths” (half of a fat quarter). You buy this as a quarter yard cut.
* Assorted Prints: Buy 12 separate fat quarters, each a different print, or grouped as you like.
This example shows why you need to understand both yardage and fat quarters.
Tips For Using Fat Quarters
- Pre-wash or not? Decide if you want to wash your fat quarters before cutting. Some quilters always wash cloth. Some only wash if they are mixing cloth types (like cotton with flannel). Washing can make fabric shrink.
- Store neatly: Fold your fat quarters nicely. You can store them flat in drawers or on shelves. Or you can fold them around small boards to keep them neat, like books on a shelf.
- Label them: If you are using fabric collections or specific designers, write it down. Keep the selvage edge with the fabric if possible, as it has info.
- Plan your cuts: Before cutting, look at the size of the pieces you need. See how many you can get from one fat quarter. Plan your cuts to use the fabric well. This is sometimes called “fussy cutting” if you want to get a specific part of the design in your piece.
- Don’t be afraid to mix: Fat quarters are great for mixing different fabrics in a quilt. Don’t feel like all the fat quarters have to be from the same set.
Wrapping Up: The Value of Fat Quarters
So, how many fat quarters are in a yard? It’s four, when talking about standard 44-inch wide quilting fabric. This simple fact is the key to understanding this popular fabric size.
Fat quarters offer quilters flexibility. They make it easy to buy a wide variety of fabrics without buying large amounts. Their shape (18×22 inches) is often better for cutting the smaller pieces needed for quilt blocks compared to a traditional quarter yard (9×44 inches).
Whether you buy fabric as fat quarters, by the yard, or a mix of both depends on your project and your needs. Knowing the difference, knowing how to get four fat quarters from a yard, and knowing how to figure out how many fat quarters for a quilt are all important skills for quilters.
Using a fabric yardage calculator can help you figure out your overall fabric needs in yards. Then, you can decide if it makes sense to buy that amount by the yard or to get the equivalent number of fat quarters.
Quilting fabric measurements like inches, quarter yards, fat quarters, half yards, and full yards are the language quilters use. Learning this language helps you read patterns, plan projects, and buy the right amount of beautiful fabric for your next creation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some common questions about fat quarters.
H5 What size exactly is a fat quarter?
A standard fat quarter is 18 inches long by about 22 inches wide. The width can vary slightly based on the fabric’s full width (often 44 inches or 45 inches).
H5 How is a fat quarter different from a regular quarter yard?
A regular quarter yard is cut from the fabric bolt 9 inches long by the full width (e.g., 44 inches). A fat quarter is cut 18 inches long by half the width (e.g., 22 inches). They have the same area but different shapes. The fat quarter is more block-like (18×22), while the quarter yard is a long strip (9×44).
H5 Can I get four fat quarters from a yard of any width fabric?
No. The “four fat quarters in a yard” rule works for fabric that is about 44 inches wide. If the fabric is much narrower or wider, the size of a fat quarter and how many fit in a yard will be different. Quilting fabric is usually 44 inches wide.
H5 Are fat quarters pre-cut when I buy them?
Yes, usually. Fabric shops and online stores sell fabric already cut as fat quarters. They might be sold one by one or in sets (like a fat quarter bundle).
H5 How do I figure out how many fat quarters I need for a project?
Check your quilt pattern first; it might list the needed fat quarters. If not, figure out the size and number of pieces you need to cut from each fabric. See how many of those pieces fit onto an 18×22 inch fat quarter. Divide the total number of pieces you need by how many you can get from one fat quarter. This tells you how many fat quarters of that specific fabric you need. You can also use a fabric yardage calculator designed for fat quarters.
H5 Is it cheaper to buy fat quarters or buy fabric by the yard?
It depends on the shop and sales. Sometimes buying by the yard is a bit cheaper per square inch if you need a large amount of one fabric. But fat quarters let you buy small amounts of many fabrics. This saves you money compared to buying a full yard of each one. So, fat quarters are often more cost-effective for projects needing many different fabrics.
H5 Can I use a fat quarter for quilt binding?
You can, but it’s not ideal for typical straight-grain binding. Binding strips are usually cut 2.5 inches wide across the full width of the fabric (44 inches). A fat quarter is only 22 inches wide, so your binding strips would be shorter. You would need to sew many more short strips together to make enough binding for a quilt. Buying a quarter yard or half yard cut traditionally (9×44 or 18×44) gives you longer strips, which is better for binding.
H5 What are fat eighths?
A fat eighth is half of a fat quarter. If a fat quarter is 18×22 inches, a fat eighth is usually 18 inches by about 11 inches (half of the 22-inch side). This size is even better for projects needing just a tiny bit of many different fabrics.