Precuts vs. Yardage for Quilting
When it comes to precuts vs yardage fabric for quilting, I have done both and I have strong opinions. I started with precuts because I wanted to make life easier. I stayed with yardage because I wanted more control. If you are trying to decide what to buy for your next quilt, this will help you skip a few expensive mistakes.
My first quilt ever was made with charm packs. I had no idea what I was doing. I was learning how to sew a straight seam, how to press fabric, and how to keep my blocks from looking crooked. Cutting felt overwhelming. I just wanted to start sewing, so I bought precuts and went for it.
That was the right move at the time. But it was not the move I stayed with.
What Are Precuts
Precuts are fabric bundles that are cut at the factory into set sizes. Big quilting brands like Moda Fabrics, Riley Blake and Ruby Star Society sell collections this way so everything matches.
You can buy from the manufacturers, amazon or Etsy.
The most common precuts are:
- Charm packs which are 5 inch squares
- Layer cakes which are 10 inch squares
- Jelly rolls which are 2.5 inch strips
- Fat quarter bundles
- Half yard bundles
They are pretty. They are coordinated. They feel easy. But easy does not always mean better.
Precuts vs. Yardage for Quilting
Precut Yardage Chart
Here is what you are actually getting when you buy common precuts. These are average amounts based on standard quilting cotton.
| Precut Type | Typical Pieces | Total Yardage Approximate |
|---|---|---|
| Charm Pack 42 squares | 5 inch squares | about 0.8 yard |
| Layer Cake 42 squares | 10 inch squares | about 3.25 yards |
| Jelly Roll 40 strips | 2.5 inch by width of fabric | about 2.75 yards |
| Fat Quarter Bundle 20 pieces | 18 by 22 inches | 5 yards |
| Fat Quarter Bundle 40 pieces | 18 by 22 inches | 10 yards |
| Half Yard Bundle 10 pieces | 18 inches by width of fabric | 5 yards |
When you see it laid out like this, you start to understand the price difference.
MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THIS OUT!
Grab a copy of my free Quilt Planning Journal. It’s filled with graph paper and note pages to help you design at least 4 quilt or sewing projects! Pin in fabric swatches, photos of your finished quilts and enjoy your creative process!
The Biggest Problem With Precuts
Here is what drives me crazy.
Precuts rarely include enough low volume or background fabric. They focus on prints. Most quilt patterns need a good amount of background.
So you still end up buying yardage.
If you are already buying yardage for the background, why not just buy yardage for the whole quilt top?
That is the shift I made.
Why I Prefer Yardage
I prefer buying fabric off the bolt. Not the newest prints. Not the ones everyone is posting about online. I drive about 30 miles to a fabric store that sells discounted fabric. I dig through stacks and pick what works.
It is often more than half the price of regular yardage.
Yardage gives me freedom.
If I want to change a block size, I can.
If I mess up a cut, I can fix it.
If I decide halfway through that I want more contrast, I have room to adjust.
When I made my Log Cabin Quilts, I could cut long strips and make several blocks from them. I could cut longer strips which made sewing faster and easier.
When I shared my Ohio Stars and Strips Quilt Pattern, yardage let me play around and make big blocks that were more modern but followed classic quilt blocks.
That flexibility matters.
Cost Comparison
If quilting cotton is about 12 dollars per yard and you need 5 yards, that is 60 dollars.
A 40 piece fat quarter bundle that equals 10 yards can easily cost much more per yard than buying off the bolt.
Retailers like Fat Quarter Shop show full pricing breakdowns if you want to compare bundle cost to yardage.
You are paying for convenience. That is fine. Just know that is what you are doing.
For general information about quilting cotton sizes and standards, you can also look at The Quilting Company which explains common fabric cuts.
When Precuts Make Sense
Precuts make sense when you are brand new and cutting feels scary. They also make sense for small projects like table runners or baby quilts.
They are helpful if you love an entire fabric line and want everything to match without thinking about it.
But once you start designing your own layouts or writing patterns, yardage makes more sense.
The Precuts I Have Used and What I Made
I am not against precuts. I just use them wisely now. Here is what I have personally used and what I made with them.
Charm Packs
My very first charm packs were purchased on Amazon in solid rainbow colors.
I used charm packs to make a simple charm square quilt. It was basic patchwork. That quilt taught me how to sew straight and keep my seam allowance steady. It was not fancy, but it worked.
Layer Cakes
Very similar to charm packs but you can make larger quilt blocks if you want. Layer cakes can always be cut up into charm squares. I used this Cory Yoder layer cake for my Square on Point quilt.
I used charm packs to make a simple charm square quilt. It was basic patchwork. That quilt taught me how to sew straight and keep my seam allowance steady. It was not fancy, but it worked.
Fat Quarter Bundles
This is the one I buy the most. It’s ample fabric is lots of prints that give you a good base for a full size quilt. You will need to get background fabric to make your bundle stretch. I used them for a scrappy layout in my Checkerboard Quilt.
I recently bought a fat quarter bundle by Lori Holt called Farmer’s Daughter from Riley Blake Designs. I liked the fabric collection and bought yardage fabric from the discount bins for the background.
The nice part was that all the fabrics matched. The not so nice part was that there were always prints I did not care for. And fat quarters are not big. You have to use almost every inch. If you cut wrong, you are in trouble.
Half Yard Bundles
I’ve never purchased a half yard bundles because I would get sick of the fabric after one quilt. These bundles along with a separate background fabric can make several.
Half yard bundles are better than fat quarters because you get more room to cut. You can make big quilt blocks and have fabric for borders, sashing and binding too.
My Bottom Line
Precuts helped me start quilting. They removed one step when I already had too much to learn. Charm packs gave me confidence. Fat quarter bundles helped me understand color collections.
But yardage gave me control.
Now I prefer buying discounted yardage, even if it means driving out of my way. I would rather choose exactly what I want than pay for prints I will never use.
The only time I buy expensive fabric is when someone is paying me to make a quilt or when I am making something special for a big event or gift.
If you are brand new, start simple. If you are growing as a quilter, start cutting your own fabric. The more control you have over your fabric, the more confident you will feel in your quilts.
And confidence is worth more than convenience.
FAQ’s – Precuts vs. Yardage Fabric
Are precuts good for beginners?
Yes. They reduce overwhelm and let you focus on sewing accurately instead of mastering cutting immediately.
Charm packs and layer cakes are excellent starter tools.
Do precuts save money?
No. They save time.
Per yard, they almost always cost more than buying fabric off the bolt.
Can you make a full quilt with just precuts?
Sometimes — especially with fat quarter or half yard bundles.
But many patterns require additional background, borders, or binding yardage.
Are jelly rolls worth it?
Jelly rolls (2.5” strips) are great for strip quilts and log cabin blocks. But again, most quilts will require additional yardage.
Is yardage better for designing your own quilt?
Absolutely.
If you resize blocks, test layouts, or change your mind mid project (which we all do), yardage gives you flexibility.
The Stage You’re In Matters
If you’re brand new:
Precuts are helpful training wheels.
If you’re intermediate:
Start cutting your own fabric. Learn the math. Build the skill.
If you’re designing or quilting regularly:
Yardage is your best friend.
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’ll hit challenges. But I’ve got you.
Here’s where to go next:
- Free Pattern Index – all my free patterns in one place
- Digital, ad-free patterns – clean, printable, and beginner friendly
- Handmade goodies – because sometimes you just want it finished
- Learn to Quilt Page – every step of making and finishing a quilt
My blog is built for the home sewist and quilter who wants to do it all themselves. With a nice but basic sewing machine and realistic expectations.
ABOUT SEW NIKKI
If this is your first time stopping by, welcome! Your place for free crochet, sewing and quilt patterns for beginner to intermediate skill levels. Want a digital pattern? We have those too! Plus tutorials to walk you through how to make each item from start to finish.
Follow me on social media (Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter) so you get notifications when I post new patterns and tutorials.
Looking for your next quilt project? Then head on over to my free “Pattern Index”. It’s a page dedicated to all of my free patterns separated by categories for crochet, sewing and quilting.
If you prefer an ad-free printable version, head over to my shop and browse the Digital Patterns. These are instant digital downloads you print yourself.
This post contains ads and affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. While the ads may seem annoying, it helps keep this blog going. See my full disclosure here.
