Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: kdarcy202
Date: 02-23-2005, 09:18 AM (1 of 12)
|
I have seen these at the fabric store for quilters and I just wondered what they are used for. I don't know anything about quilting and I think I would like to start, but there seems to be so many different things out there I wouldn't know where to start. Kim |
User: kdarcy202
Member since: 02-22-2005 Total posts: 5 |
From: postcardgirl
Date: 02-23-2005, 11:01 AM (2 of 12)
|
fat quarters are a quarter yard of fabric cut to measure 18" by about 22" (the typical width of fabric is about 44" so half of that is 22", and half of a yard is 18") - does that make sense? I find fq's are easier to use when quilting because you can get more out of them - with a typical quarter yard cut you only have 9" of length to work with. |
User: postcardgirl
Member since: 05-01-2001 Total posts: 367 
|
From: beachgirl
Date: 02-23-2005, 11:58 AM (3 of 12)
| Fat quarters are also good for appliques. Can use in quilts, clothes or home dec. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
|
From: Chrysantha
Date: 02-23-2005, 03:37 PM (4 of 12)
|
Fat quarters are also good for adding to your stash....when they're on sale you buy as much as you can to round out what you already have. That way you have a large selection when you're quilting...plus there ARE quilt patterns that just use fat quarters....
Chrys
|
User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
|
From: Julia's Nana
Date: 02-23-2005, 05:45 PM (5 of 12)
|
Am I the only one who thinks fat quarters are expensive? Sure you get more than if you bought a regular quarter of a yard but at Joann's you get a fat quarter of fabric that is $2.99 a yard on the bolt for $1.49. So if you buy off the bolt, you could get a half yard for the same price. It just seems like a half a yard is a more usable size anyway..........I realize if you are talking about quilt shop fabrics this might not apply but their fat quarters are about the same price as half a yard off the bolt. So have I missed something here because my math isn't great or is a half yard a better buy? I buy fat quarters on sale or if I need something that isn't available on the bolt. They are great for applique and don't forget the remmant bin..........I have gotten some great pieces of quilting fabric there. |
User: Julia's Nana
Member since: 08-28-2001 Total posts: 361 |
From: esrun3
Date: 02-23-2005, 09:25 PM (6 of 12)
|
I agree, I prefer to buy 1/2 yard-especially if I like the fabric. I do buy some fat quarters but sometimes they are too short for what you want, like the scrub hats I make for my daughter-22 inches is too short, I need 24 and often I can get even 1/4 yard of the full width for less than a fat quarter. But..when they are on sale and I see something I like , I pick them up becuase they are great for appliques or even the blocks that we are doing for the Advent Quilt!
Lyn
|
User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 02-24-2005, 07:02 PM (7 of 12)
|
I have to insert my 2 cents worth here. I think most fabric shops are really price gougers on fat quarters.. The only place I have seen that they are reasonable that I have found is at Michaels.. They usually have a container close to the entrance just full of assorted colors and prints.. I have found some beautiful ones there for 99 Cents.. I buy where I get the most for the money.. I like 1/2 yard pieces, that way if I have to , I can share a fat quarter to someone else..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
From: carman
Date: 02-24-2005, 08:15 PM (8 of 12)
i will make you all feel better, most of us canadians have to pay 4.99 and usually more for fat q's. and they NEVER go on sale. a meter of quilt shop fabric will run you 17-19.99 and up a meter, i can on a good day get good quilt fabric for 10.99 a meter and then i think that is a GOOD deal. i love to buy off ebay just for that reason, i have some sellers that i deal with that i get very good cottons and even with exchange rates and shipping they are cheaper and have a much better selction that we can get here. 
|
User: carman
Member since: 04-17-2000 Total posts: 692 
|
From: Julia's Nana
Date: 02-24-2005, 10:58 PM (9 of 12)
|
That explains why the Joann's near my house never has much fabric on the shelves. We have a lot of winter visitors, or snowbirds as we call them, from Canada. They winter here ( AZ) and I think must shop for the rest of the year before they go back home. If I had to pay those prices for fabric, I wouldn't be able to have a stash, that is for sure! My dd and I checked out behind a winter visitor from Canada one time in a clothing store. She was buying marked down heavy sweaters and children's winter pj's. She said that her grandchildren wore winter pj's all year long and it was great shopping here because there were always a lot on the winter clearance tables. Not much demand for heavy winter clothes here but the stores still stock the same things that they do where they have winter..............In Oct. when we are still wearing shorts the only thing you can find in the stores are heavy long pants. Norma |
User: Julia's Nana
Member since: 08-28-2001 Total posts: 361 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 02-26-2005, 12:53 PM (10 of 12)
|
That makes me appreciate where I live all the more.. I get upset at quilt fabric that is more than 5.00 per yard.. I will be counting my blessings more in that respect from now on....
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
|
From: Magot
Date: 02-26-2005, 01:33 PM (11 of 12)
|
Get counting Libby, standard price here is about $9 per fat quarter though you can pick up bargains sometimes - about £2.50 (about $4).
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
|
From: iseark
Date: 03-04-2005, 08:01 PM (12 of 12)
|
Here's an idea for those of you here in the states. Jo-ann's carries the fat quarter bundles ( of 7 ) for $7.49. You can sign up online to get coupons emailed to you, many times they are for 50% off any one regular priced item. I get 7 fat quarters of beautiful fabric for $3.74. Speaking of fat quarters, do you think Joanne would think up a quilt for us to make out of fatquarters? I've always wanted to make one but haven't found a pattern I like yet. Denise
Don't curse the darkness - light a candle.
|
User: iseark
Member since: 10-23-2004 Total posts: 5 
|
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-15134.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft