When on the lookout for materials or stitching duties and patterns, it is not uncommon to see fat quarters. Nevertheless what are these things of fabric, and what do you use them for? For crafters, the fat quarter is necessary and makes duties paying homage to quilting and patchwork rather a lot easier.
“Normally pre-cut and crafted from 100 laptop cotton, it is normally purchased in a pleasing bundle that features numerous prints and coordinating solids,” says Paula Pfotenhauer, a pattern maker and proprietor of Jeaja Design Studio. “This textile gem proves finest for duties that call for numerous supplies, injecting a playful and ingenious aptitude into the endeavors of quilters and crafters.” In a position to dive into your subsequent problem? Specialists make clear what this piece of fabric is and what you need to put it to use for when crafting.
What Is a Fat Quarter of Fabric?
Fat quarters differ barely in measurement, based on the width of the fabric, nonetheless normally, they measure 18-by-22 inches when the fabric is scale back by yards or 50-by-55 centimeters when scale back by meters. All of our crafting consultants agree that this measurement of fabric is uniquely versatile and lends itself correctly to numerous duties. “This scale back is obtained by taking half a yard of fabric after which halving it as soon as extra horizontally,” says Grace Thompson, product supervisor at ChicSew. “The result is a square-like piece that offers a wider range of design prospects compared with a traditional quarter yard.”
When shopping for materials, it normally comes by the yard or meter. As a result of it comes off the bolt, whenever you buy 1 / 4 yard, the piece might be 9 inches by whatever the width of the fabric is. Equally, 1 / 4 meter might be 25 centimeters by the width of the fabric. That prolonged piece of material is good for some duties, nonetheless completely different devices require somewhat bit further width. A fat quarter solves that without having to purchase an even bigger amount of fabric.
The Distinction Between a Fat Quarter and a Widespread Quarter Yard of Fabric
The first distinction between the two is the type of the fabric. “The excellence between a fat quarter and its typical counterpart lies inside the type and ingenious potential it unlocks,” says Pfotenhauer. “Not just like the slender strips of a day by day quarter yard, which usually measure 9 inches in width and 42 inches in measurement, a fat quarter gives a singular geometry, 18 inches in width and 22 inches in measurement, providing crafters with higher flexibility. This distinctive scale back enhances design prospects by allowing artisans to benefit from further of a fabric’s intricate print and the ability to creatively repurpose smaller scraps.”
Because of the further steps it takes to cut fat quarters, a fat quarter typically costs somewhat bit higher than a traditional quarter yard or meter. The additional worth is usually worth it, nonetheless. Whenever you need the extra width nonetheless not the scale, fat quarters current that without having to buy an even bigger piece of fabric, spending extra cash, and doubtless dropping further supplies.
Strategies to Use a Fat Quarter of Fabric
These helpful pre-cuts moreover suggest you might skip the decreasing counter on account of they’re ready to be able to purchase. Many materials traces provide packs of fat quarters, so you can purchase somewhat bit bit of each design from the gathering. A single fat quarter bundle will typically give you ample supplies to sew a quilt excessive and nonetheless have materials left over. Listed under are a number of of the most typical duties the place it’s smart to utilize a fat quarter of fabric.
Quilt Blocks
Quilt patterns typically use fat quarters on account of their area permits you to scale back many objects. A whole lot of completely different stitching duties counsel using this pre-cut, too. “Fat quarters are good for creating quite a few quilt blocks, as a result of the larger measurement permits the inclusion of additional intricate patterns and designs,” says Thompson.
Appliqué
Previous quilting, fat quarters of fabric are good for various stitching duties like appliqué and completely different patchwork. “The larger flooring area of fat quarters makes them wonderful for appliqué work, allowing for the creation of detailed and visually fascinating designs on garments or home décor devices,” Thompson says.
Small Stitching Initiatives
You might get inventive with these materials cuts by crafting all forms of numerous smaller gear, and you’ll not waste materials inside the course of. “Whether or not or not you make small gear like pouches, wallets, or materials flowers, fat quarters current ample materials for these duties with out the need to purchase greater portions,” Thompson says.
Scrap Quilting
Scrap quilts are a great way to utilize up materials scraps you’ve got gotten from completely different duties. “Whenever you profit from the paintings of scrap quilting, fat quarters are a unimaginable choice as they supply numerous colors and patterns in a single scale back, allowing for a wonderfully eclectic accomplished product,” says Thompson.
Mix-and-Match Coordination
An paintings unto itself, use fat quarters to help coordinate colors and patterns in your subsequent problem. “Fat quarters are fantastic for coordinating supplies inside a set, guaranteeing that fully completely different patterns and colors complement each other seamlessly,” Thompson says.