How Many Fat Quarters Do I Need to Make a Quilt?
If you have ever needed to know how many fat quarters do I need to make a quilt, you are not alone. The answer depends on the quilt size, size of your quilt blocks and how much fabric each block requires. A baby quilt may only need a handful of fat quarters, while a large quilt can take several dozen. In this blog post, I’ll show you how to figure out the number of fat quarters you need for your quilt size, how fat quarter bundles work, and when you may need additional yardage for the background, borders or other parts of your quilt.
The fabric amounts discussed here are for the quilt top only, since backing and binding are separate fabric requirements.
What Is a Fat Quarter?
A fat quarter is a quarter yard of fabric cut into a wider shape that works well for quilting. Instead of cutting a regular quarter yard as a long, narrow piece from the bolt, the fabric shop cuts a half yard across the full width of the fabric and then cuts that piece in half.
A fat quarter is usually around 18″ x 21″ or 18″ x 22″, although the actual size can vary because quilting cotton comes in different widths. Once you trim the selvage edges and square up the fabric, the usable piece will be a little smaller.
That size makes a fat quarter very useful for quilt blocks. You can cut larger squares, smaller pieces, triangles and other shapes without buying an entire yard of fabric.
Fat quarters are also a great way to add lots of different fabrics to a quilt. Instead of buying a yard of every color or print, you can buy a single fat quarter of each fabric and create a scrappy quilt from a larger collection.
MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THIS OUT!
After you read this post, check out Learn How to Quilt for Absolute Beginners. It’s jam packed with information to make your first quilt. It also has links and resources that are so helpful when you’re first learning. There’s lots of free quilt patterns that are great for beginners and all skill levels too. So make sure you check this out, seriously don’t forget!
I made a free Quilting for the Seasons Calendar to help you plan your quilts around holidays and special occasions. It tells you when to begin a seasonal quilt so you can use it when the season arrives. Print it and keep it in your sewing room, planner or quilt notebook.
How Many Fat Quarters Do I Need to Make a Quilt?
There is no one number that works for every quilt. A baby quilt with large blocks may use only a handful of fat quarters, while a queen size quilt with lots of small pieces may use several dozen.
The easiest way to figure out the number of fat quarters you need is to look at the cutting instructions for the quilt pattern.
Start with the number of quilt blocks you need. Then look at how many blocks the pattern makes from one fat quarter. If one fat quarter makes one block and you need 20 blocks, you will need 20 fat quarters for those blocks.
Some patterns use fat quarters for the main blocks but use yards of fabric for the background, sashing or borders. Other fat quarter quilt patterns are designed to use almost the entire collection of fat quarters.
This is why two quilts that are the same size can have completely different fabric requirements.
Block Size Makes a Difference
Large quilt blocks can make a fat quarter go a long way. A pattern using large blocks may need fewer fat quarters than a design made with lots of small squares.
The size of the pieces matters too. A fat quarter may give you several smaller pieces, but the pattern still needs to account for the seam allowance, cutting layout and fabric waste.
The best way to know how much fabric you need is to use the pattern’s cutting chart rather than trying to calculate the entire quilt from the finished quilt dimensions.
How Many Fat Quarters Are in a Bundle?
There is no standard number of fat quarters in a bundle. The number depends on the fabric collection, manufacturer and whether the bundle contains the complete collection or a smaller selection.
You will find bundles with 6, 10 or 12 fat quarters, while larger fabric collections can have 30, 40 or even 50 or more pieces.
Lori Holt collections from Riley Blake, for example, can have very large bundles because many of her collections contain a lot of different prints. Ruby Star Society bundles are often smaller, while many full Moda collections have around 40 fat quarters. Tilda also sells a range of bundle sizes.
The important thing is to check the actual number of fat quarters included before buying. A bundle of 10 and a bundle of 40 are very different when you are planning a quilt.
A large bundle does not automatically mean it is enough for your quilt. Always compare the number of pieces in the bundle with the pattern’s fabric requirements.
But what about the “ugly” fabrics in the bundle?
I have bought a handful of bundles over the last couple of years, each had over 40 fat quarters each. You will not like every fabric in the bundle. For me, there’s always 10 or so that I just don’t like. The good news is that you can make a large quilt with 10 fat quarters using fabric yardage for the background fabric. Or you can just add those fabrics to your stash and use in other quilting projects.
For me, a dump quilt is when I use all my “ugly” fabric in a large quilt. Those “ugly” fabrics always make for a beautiful quilt. Not sure how but take my Checkerboard Quilt for example. It gorgeous and most of the fabric was from the dislike pile of fat quarters. You just dump all those fabrics with left over fabric from your stash and it’s a masterpiece.
Can I Buy a Single Fat Quarter?
Yes. You do not have to buy an entire bundle.
Your local quilt shop may cut a single fat quarter from the bolt, and many online fabric shops sell individual fat quarters as well. Big box craft stores also carry precut fat quarters and small packs.
Buying singles is helpful when you already have a fabric collection started and just need a few more colors. It is also useful when you find one particular print you love and do not want to buy an entire bundle.
Prices vary depending on the fabric and where you shop. Designer quilting cotton from a specialty quilt shop will generally cost more than fabric from a big box craft store.
If you are buying online, check the actual dimensions listed in the product description. Fat quarters are not always cut to exactly the same size.
Manufacturer Bundles vs. Shop Curated Bundles
Not every fat quarter bundle is put together the same way.
A manufacturer cut bundle is packaged by the fabric company and usually contains one fat quarter of each print included in a collection. These are often sold as the complete fabric collection.
A shop curated bundle is put together by the fabric retailer. The shop may choose a selection of fabrics from one collection, combine fabrics from several collections or create a bundle around a particular color.
Both can be useful for quilting. Just read the description so you know what you are buying.
Are Fat Quarters Enough for the Whole Quilt?
This is the part I would pay attention to before buying a bundle.
Fat quarter amounts listed for a quilt pattern usually refer to the quilt top, not the backing.
You still need to calculate the fabric needed for the back of the quilt. You may also need additional fabric for binding, borders or a background color.
Technically, you can make a quilt backing from fat quarters, but for a larger quilt that means sewing together many smaller pieces of fabric. I would much rather buy yardage or wide back fabric for the back of a quilt.
Using yardage for the backing is usually simpler, especially for a large quilt such as a twin, queen or king size quilt.
What About Fat Eighths?
Fat eights are smaller than fat quarters. A fat eight is one eighth of a yard of fabric. While a fat quarter is one fourth of a yard of fabric. quarters are only one type of precut fabric used in quilting. Fat eighths are smaller pieces that work well for smaller quilt blocks and detailed designs.
A fat eighth of fabric measures is 9″ x 21″ approximately. It’s long and narrow. I accidentally bought a fat eighth one time, just not enough fabric to do anything with it. Most quilters prefer fat quarters but fat eights are good for small quilt or sewing projects.
If a pattern calls for fat quarters, do not automatically assume another precut will work as a substitute. Check the cutting instructions first to make sure you have enough fabric for every required piece.
How Do I Calculate Fat Quarters for a Quilt?
If the pattern does not give you a simple fat quarter requirement, look at the cutting chart and work backward.
First, determine how many blocks you need. Then determine how many blocks can be cut from one fat quarter. From there, add the fat quarters needed for any other fabrics that the pattern calls for.
For example, if you need 24 blocks and one fat quarter makes one block, you need 24 fat quarters for those blocks. If the background requires yardage, that fabric is calculated separately.
Pay attention to directional prints too. A fabric that needs to be cut in a particular direction may not give you the same number of pieces as a non directional print.
When in doubt, buying one or two extra fat quarters is usually cheaper than stopping in the middle of a quilt because you ran out of fabric.
Where Can I Buy Fat Quarters?
You can find fat quarters in most quilt shops, online fabric stores and a limited selection in big box craft stores. Specialty quilting retailers carry a large selection of designer fabrics and fat quarter bundles, while marketplaces can be useful when you are looking for older or hard to find fabric collections. I’ve written a lot about fabric for quilting, check out my other posts below.
More Resources You May Like
- Best Fabric for Quilting – How to Shop Like a Pro!
- Best Fabric for Quilting – Solids vs Prints
- Precuts vs Yardage for Quilting
- Why Discounted Yardage is the Best Fabric for New Quilters
- 7 Tips To Avoid Overspending in a Fabric Store
- How Many Yards of Fabric Do You Need for a Quilt?
I’ll be posting about where to shop with a list of shop soon, so stay tuned!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fat quarters do I need for a baby quilt?
The number depends on the pattern and block size. A baby quilt with large blocks may need only a few fat quarters, while a scrappy design with smaller pieces may need considerably more.
How many fat quarters do I need for a queen size quilt?
There is no standard number for a queen size quilt. The pattern, block size and amount of background fabric all affect the total. Check the pattern cutting chart for the most accurate number.
Can I use fat quarters for quilt backing?
Yes, but it usually requires sewing together many pieces of fabric. For most larger quilts, yardage or wide back fabric is a much easier choice.
Is a fat quarter the same as a quarter yard?
A fat quarter contains approximately the same amount of fabric as a quarter yard, but it is cut into a different shape. The wider shape makes it more useful for many quilt blocks.
Do I need to buy a whole fat quarter bundle?
No. You can buy individual fat quarters and create your own fabric collection. This can be a good option when you want to use your fabric stash or choose specific colors for a particular design.
Favorite Fat Quarter Quilt Patterns
If you like making large quilts (throws, full, queen and king size), fat quarter bundles are perfect for scrappy quilts. Here are my favorite fat quarter patterns.
If You’re New Here
I’m really glad you found your way here. If you’re new to quilting, then welcome. The learning curve is fast, and yes, you will face challenges. But I’ve got you. If I can do it, so can you!
Here’s where to go next:
Digital Patterns – To make quilting easy so you spend less time concerned about doing it right and more time actually quilting
Learn to Quilt – helps beginners grasp the basics without making quilting seem complicated
Free Pattern Index – free patterns that are suitable for beginners and intended to help you develop your skills while at the same time making something that you will actually want to use
About Sew Nikki
I am a California quilter who loves making quilts without making quilting feel harder than it needs to be. Here at Sew Nikki, I share free quilt block tutorials, quilting tips, beginner projects, free patterns, and digital quilt patterns.
My blog is built for the home sewist and quilter who wants to make a quilt from start to finish all by themselves. Take a full tour of this blog so you know your way around. Subscribe to the newsletter so you don’t miss out on new patterns or tutorials. And follow me on social media (Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok).
I believe quilts do not have to be perfect to be worth making. Sometimes a point is a little off or a seam does not line up exactly. That is part of quilting.
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