If you’re new to the world of sewing and quilting, you may be confused by some of the terms. That’s why in today’s article, we’re going to be talking about fat quarters. They’re great for small projects, but some people are a bit confused about them. So, how many fat quarters make a yard, you ask?
How Many Fat Quarters Make a Yard
There are 4 fat quarters in a yard of fabric. Below you’ll find a chart which shows the yield of a fat quarter and how many strips/squares can be cut from it for quilting.
How Many Squares In A Fat Quarter (Chart)
For a fat quarter, which measures 18″ x 22″ – Here is the estimated yield in squares or strips.
| Size of Strip or Square | # Of strips per fat quarter | Strip Length | # Of squares per strip | # of squares per fat quarter |
| 1″ | 17 | 21″ | 21 | 357 |
| 1 1/2″ | 11 | 21″ | 14 | 154 |
| 2″ | 8 | 21″ | 10 | 80 |
| 2 1/2″ | 6 | 21″ | 8 | 48 |
| 3″ | 5 | 21″ | 7 | 35 |
| 3 1/2″ | 4 | 21″ | 6 | 24 |
| 4″ | 4 | 21″ | 5 | 20 |
| 4 1/2″ | 3 | 21″ | 4 | 12 |
| 5″ | 3 | 21″ | 4 | 12 |
| 5 1/2″ | 3 | 21″ | 3 | 9 |
| 6″ | 2 | 21″ | 3 | 6 |
| 6 1/2″ | 2 | 21″ | 3 | 6 |
| 7″ | 2 | 21″ | 3 | 6 |
| 7 1/2″ | 2 | 21″ | 2 | 4 |
| 8″ | 2 | 21″ | 2 | 4 |
| 8 1/2″ | 2 | 21″ | 2 | 4 |
| 9″ | 1 | 21″ | 2 | 2 |
| 9 1/2″ | 1 | 21″ | 2 | 2 |
| 10″ | 1 | 21″ | 2 | 2 |
| 10 1/2″ | 1 | 21″ | 2 | 2 |
| 11″ – 17″ | 1 | 21″ | 1 | 1 |
How Big Is A Fat Quarter Of Fabric?
A fat quarter measures 18 x 22 inches if it’s cut by the yard. If your fabric is cut in meters, then the measurements will be 50×55 centimeters.
How Many Fat Quarters To Make a Quilt?
For a small lap quilt, 12 fat quarters will likely do the trick. However, a king size quilt will likely need 40+ fat quarters in order to be completed. If you know how many squares you need and what sizes, then the above chart will help you better determine how many fat quarters you need for the project.
How To Cut Fat Quarters
There are many ways to cut fat quarters, but the below diagram gives an example of one way you could cut them. However, there are other ways to do it as well which you may want to explore too.
What Do You Use Fat Quarters For?
Fat quarters are versatile and easier to cut. While you can make your own from fabric you have, many craft shops sell them as bundles because they are so popular! They’re great for making scarp quilts, or doing patchwork or applique.
Buying bundles like this can also be a lot cheaper, since you are typically buying bits of fabric the shop may want rid of. So, it’s also a good way to save some money on your quilting projects if you are thrifty.
Want to make a quilt using scraps or fat quarter bundles? Check out these free quilt patterns using five fabrics. These projects are a great intro to making use of fat quarters and fabric bundles.
Barb, our resident quilter and embroidery aficionado, weaves a thread of creativity through our collection. Serving as the curator of machine embroidery content, Barb infuses each design with a touch of her artistic expertise. The free embroidery patterns you discover on our site often bear the mark of Barb’s craftsmanship. Let’s get crafting!
