If we’ve heard it once, we’ve heard it a dozen times. And if you’ve wondered it yourself, you’re not alone! “What's a fat quarter?” (Sometimes followed by, “That’s a weird name.”)
It sounds like something you'd see on a menu maybe, but not something you'd sew with. But once you know what a fat quarter is (and why it's shaped the way it is), you'll start seeing them everywhere: in pattern requirements, in precut bundles, and, let's be real, in a growing pile in your sewing room. Here's everything you need to know, plus a few of our favorite patterns that put fat quarters to good use!
The short answer
A fat quarter is a quarter-yard of fabric cut into a wide rectangle that measures about 18” x 21–22” instead of the usual long, skinny 9” strip. It's the same amount of fabric as a regular quarter-yard, but it’s cut into a much more useful shape.
Fat quarter vs. quarter-yard: same fabric, different shapeTo see the difference, picture a bolt of quilting cotton (like Sprout Wovens in Mulberry by Fableism). When fabric comes off the bolt, a sewing shop measures it along its length. The other direction, selvage to selvage, is called the width of fabric, or “WOF.” For most quilting cottons, that's about 42–44”.
A fat quarter, on the other hand, begins as a half-yard, which is 18” off the bolt. That half-yard is then cut in half at the fold from the other direction. The result is a piece about 18” x 21–22”. Magically, you get the same total fabric as a quarter-yard, but it’s now shaped like a roomy rectangle instead of a thin ribbon!
|
|
Quarter-yard |
Fat quarter |
| How it's cut |
9” off the bolt |
18” off the bolt, then cut at the fold |
| Approximate size |
9” x 42–44” |
18" x 21–22” |
| Largest square |
9" |
18" |
| 5" squares you can cut |
8 |
12 |
| Best for |
Long strips, borders, binding |
Blocks, big squares, fussy cutting, small projects |
Why the “fat” shape wins
The real magic of a fat quarter is what you can cut from it. Because it's twice as tall as a quarter-yard strip, a fat quarter gives you options a 9” strip can’t:
- A 12” square. Impossible from a quarter-yard strip, but easy from a fat quarter
- Two 10” squares side by side (with room to spare!)
- Twelve 5” squares, compared with eight from a quarter-yard
- Room for fussy cutting. Want to center a flower, a bird, or a tiny fox in your block? The extra height lets you place big motifs exactly where you want them.
In short, a fat quarter wastes less and does more! It's the fabric equivalent of a well-packed suitcase, basically. And who doesn’t love getting more out of limited space?
How many fat quarters are in a yard?
Four. A yard of fabric (36” x WOF) cut in half both ways gives you four fat quarters. So if a pattern calls for one yard of a single fabric, four matching fat quarters will often cover it as long as none of the pieces you need to cut are longer than about 21”.
You may also see fat eighths mentioned as you explore patterns and projects. A fat eighth is simply a fat quarter cut in half. They're a fun, budget-friendly way to sample lots of prints from a collection.
Why quilters love fat quarters
- Variety without commitment. Want 20 different prints in one quilt? Fat quarters let you get a little of everything instead of a lot of one thing.
- Scrappy, layered looks. Many of the most beloved quilt designs rely on lots of different fabrics. Fat quarters make that easy (and more affordable).
- Curated bundles. Fat quarter bundles group coordinating prints, often a whole designer collection, so the color-matching is done for you.
- Perfect for small projects. Zipper pouches, table runners, shoe bags, and more.
- Great gifts. A tied-up stack of fat quarters is basically a bouquet for sewists, and we all love flowers and fabric.
Fair warning: They're also famously easy to collect. Don’t blame us if you accidentally stock up on too many fat quarters once you get started! Is there even such a thing?
Can I use fat quarters when a pattern calls for quarter-yards?
Often, yes, but you need to check the cutting instructions first. If every piece you need to cut fits within about 18” x 21”, a fat quarter will work just as well as a quarter-yard, and often better. The exception is any project that calls for longer cuts. If the pattern asks you to cut strips the full width of the fabric (for borders, sashing, or binding, for example), you'll want regular yardage for those pieces.
When a pattern says it's “fat-quarter friendly,” it means the designer planned the cutting so every piece fits neatly within a fat quarter, usually with very little waste.
Our favorite fat quarter-friendly patterns
Ready to put those fat quarters to work? These are a few staff favorites you can find at the shop and online.
Mighty Stars by Cotton + Joy: Mighty Stars is a fun, modern take on the classic friendship star block, and it's designed to be fat-quarter friendly with minimal waste. The large center squares are the perfect place to show off your favorite prints! The pattern includes six sizes, from baby to king, and because it's block-based, you can easily scale it up or down.
Regent Park by Villa Rosa Designs: Villa Rosa Designs’ pattern cards are so simple they fit on a postcard, and Regent Park is a great example. It calls for 13 fat quarters plus 5/8 yard for binding and finishes at 54” x 70”, a perfect throw size. It’s quick, it's classic, and an easy way to use a fat-quarter bundle you've been saving.
Snap Happy by Pen & Paper Patterns: Snap Happy is both charm square- and fat quarter-friendly, so it's a great pick if you have a mix of precuts in your stash. It's recommended for advanced beginners and up, so it’s a nice next step once you’ve gotten your feet wet and mastered a few basic skills.
Speedy Shoe Bag by Sookie Sews: Fat quarters aren't just for quilts. The Speedy Shoe Bag serger pattern is fat quarter-friendly and quick to whip up, so you can make one for every pair of shoes in the house. Brand new to your serger? Our online Learn to Serge course will have you ready in no time.
Want even more ideas?
Two books on our shelves are packed with fat quarter projects: Fat Quarters by the Dozen from It's Sew Emma features 12 quilts, each made from twelve fat quarters, and Love Fat Quarter Quilts from Stash Books has 20 projects ranging from bed-size quilts to cushions.
Shopping for fat quarters
Here's how to make the most of your fat-quarter shopping:
- Start with a bundle. We have a select amount of pre-cut fat-quarter collections in-store only. Our staff hand-picks these in coordinated groups so you can skip the agony of selection and get straight to sewing. (Availability varies!)
- Count before you shop. Check how many fat quarters your pattern calls for, then add one or two extras for fussy cutting or happy accidents.
- Think beyond cotton. Our Quilting Cuddle fat quarter bundles from Shannon Fabrics are ultra-soft and made for snuggly quilts. Seriously, it’s amazing like minky fabric but times 10. If you haven’t experienced Cuddle, you haven’t experienced soft.
- Ask us! Not sure what goes with what? Our team loves helping pull fabrics together, in the shop or by email.
New to quilting? Start here
If fat quarters have you itching to make your first quilt, our Learn to Quilt class is a beginner-friendly way to start. We offer it a few times a year, and in it you’ll learn the fundamentals step by step with plenty of support along the way. Classes fill quickly, so check the class schedule and join the waitlist if your favorite session is full.
Come find some fabric!
Now that you know your fat quarters from your quarter-yards, you're officially fluent in one of quilting's most useful little secrets. Browse our fat quarter bundles and patterns online, or stop by our shop in North Hampton, NH, to see (and feel!) them in person. We'll be at the cutting counter, ready for your next question.
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Fat-quarter Quick Facts at a glance
- What size is a fat quarter? About 18” x 21–22”. The exact width depends on the width of the fabric it was cut from.
- Is a fat quarter the same amount of fabric as a quarter-yard? Yes. Both are one quarter of a yard. The fat quarter is just cut into a wider, more versatile shape.
- How many fat quarters are in a yard? Four.
- What’s a fat eighth? Half of a fat quarter, usually about 9” x 21–22”.
- Can I cut a 12” square from a fat quarter? Yes, with room to spare. You can't cut one from a regular quarter-yard, which is only 9” tall.