Definition
A fat quarter is a pre-cut piece of quilting cotton made by cutting a half yard down the middle, giving about 46 × 56 cm (18 × 22 in).
A quarter yard of fabric could be cut as a long strip, 23 × 112 cm (9 × 44 in), which is too narrow for many uses. The fat quarter is the same area cut into a squarer shape: half a yard long and half the fabric width. In metric shops, a fat quarter is often 50 × 55 cm (about 20 × 22 in), a half meter cut in two.
Quilting shops sell fat quarters singly and in coordinated bundles, which makes them an inexpensive way to try a print or collect a palette. They are the natural unit for patchwork, and big enough for small sewing projects:
- A scrunchie, or several from one fat quarter.
- A small lined zip pouch, with the outer and lining from two fat quarters.
- Patch pockets, contrast facings, a hat lining or bias binding for a small project.
What a fat quarter will not do is fit a garment piece longer than about 55 cm (22 in), so check the pattern piece dimensions before buying. Quilting cotton is a firm, crisp woven fabric with little drape, better for bags, pouches and structured items than for flowing garments.
A fat quarter is cut on grain and usually keeps a selvedge along one edge, which helps you find the lengthwise grain. For anything larger, work out the yardage you need instead.