What is a Fat Quarter vs. 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.