Fat Quarters, Fat Sixths, Fat Eighths, Oh My! A Quilter’s Guide to Fat Cuts

If you've spent much time in a quilt shop, you've probably heard of fat quarters. But what about fat eighths, fat sixths, or even fat halves?

Despite their funny names, these cuts of fabric have a very practical purpose. And understanding how they're cut can help you choose the right amount of fabric for your next project, make better use of your scraps, and maybe even save a little money!

First Things First: How Big Is a Yard of Fabric?

Before we get into all these fat cuts, let's start with something that sounds pretty straightforward: a yard of fabric.

We all know a yard is 36 inches, right? But here's something that's easy to overlook: a yard measures the length of fabric, not its width.

When you purchase a yard of standard quilting cotton, you're typically getting a piece that measures 36 inches long and approximately 42–44 inches wide.

But not all fabric comes in the same width!

• 42–44 inches: The typical width of standard quilting cotton.
• 60 inches: Common for some specialty fabrics, including certain apparel fabrics and knits.
• 108 inches: Common for wide-back quilting fabrics, which are designed to cover the backs of quilts with fewer seams.

So a yard of standard quilting cotton might measure 36" × 44", while a yard of wide-back fabric might measure 36" × 108".

Same yardage, very different amount of fabric!

And that brings us to an important point: when we're talking about fat quarters, fat eighths, and other fat cuts, we're generally talking about standard-width quilting cotton.

What Makes a Fabric Cut "Fat"?

The word fat doesn't refer to the thickness or weight of the fabric. It refers to the shape of the cut.

When you purchase a regular quarter yard of quilting cotton, you're typically getting a strip measuring approximately 9 inches by 44 inches.

But what if your project requires a 10-inch square? You've purchased a quarter yard of fabric, but you can't cut even one 10-inch square from that 9-inch-wide strip!

That's where fat cuts come in.

Instead of cutting a long, narrow strip across the entire width of the fabric, a fat cut divides the fabric differently, creating a shorter, wider piece.

A fat quarter, for example, measures approximately 18 inches by 22 inches. It's the same amount of fabric as a traditional quarter yard, but its shape gives you many more options for cutting squares, rectangles, and other shapes.

The important thing to remember: Fat cuts don't give you more fabric. They give you a different shape of fabric.

Meet the Fat Fabric Family!

Let's break down the different fat cuts you might encounter in a quilt shop.

Fat Halves: The Big Sibling

Approximate size: 36" × 22"

Yes, fat halves really are a thing!

A fat half is half a yard of fabric, cut lengthwise down the middle of a full yard rather than across its width.

A regular half yard measures approximately 18" × 44", while a fat half measures approximately 36" × 22".

Fat halves are particularly useful when you want larger pieces for quilt blocks, appliqué, or projects that require longer cuts along the grain.

They're also handy when you want a generous amount of a favorite print without purchasing an entire yard.

Fat Quarters: The Famous One

Approximate size: 18" × 22"

The fat quarter is probably the best-known member of the family!

Instead of a long, narrow 9" × 44" strip, you get a more versatile 18" × 22" rectangle.

Fat quarters are popular because they're large enough for many quilt blocks, appliqué shapes, and small sewing projects without requiring you to purchase a large amount of yardage.

They're also frequently sold in coordinating bundles, making it easy to collect an assortment of fabrics from the same collection.

For example, a fat quarter can typically yield two 10-inch squares, while a regular quarter-yard strip isn't wide enough to yield even one.

Fat Sixths: The Tongue Twister!

Approximate size: 12" × 22"

A fat sixth is made by dividing a yard of fabric into six equal pieces. Each piece measures approximately 12" × 22".

Compare that to a traditional sixth of a yard, which would be a narrow 6" × 44" strip.

That extra width makes fat sixths surprisingly useful!

You can cut a 10-inch square from a fat sixth, making them great for projects that use larger squares. They're also handy for scrappy quilts, smaller quilt blocks, and appliqué.

And because they're smaller than fat quarters, they can be a fun, economical way to add more variety to a project.

One thing worth mentioning: Fat sixths aren't quite as standardized as fat quarters, so always check the actual dimensions before planning your cuts.

Fat Eighths: Small but Mighty

Approximate size: 9" × 22"

A fat eighth is half of a fat quarter.

A traditional eighth yard would measure approximately 4½" × 44", but a fat eighth is approximately 9" × 22".

These little cuts are wonderful for scrappy quilts, small quilt blocks, appliqué, and projects where you want lots of different fabrics without buying large quantities of each.

Fat eighth bundles are especially useful for building a coordinated fabric collection with plenty of variety.

Fat Sixteenths: Yes, They're a Thing!

Approximate size: 9" × 11"

Fat sixteenths are less common, but you may encounter them in specialty bundles or curated fabric assortments.

They're typically made by dividing a fat eighth in half.

Because they're small, they're best suited to miniature quilts, small patchwork pieces, English paper piecing, and other projects that use smaller fabric shapes.

So Which Fat Cut Should You Buy?

Here's where understanding fat cuts becomes really useful.

Remember, these dimensions assume approximately 44-inch-wide fabric. Actual usable measurements may be smaller after removing selvages or squaring up edges.

Why Do Fat Cuts Sometimes Cost More?

Have you ever noticed that buying four fat quarters can cost more than buying a full yard of the exact same fabric?

There's a reason for that!

Depending on the price of the fabric by the yard, buying those four individual pieces may cost more than purchasing one continuous yard.

But why?

Because there's more involved in selling a fat quarter than simply cutting a piece of fabric off the bolt.

When a quilt shop prepares fat cuts, there are several additional steps:

• Cutting: Instead of making one simple cut across the width of the fabric, fat cuts require additional measuring and cutting.
• Folding and packaging: Each piece needs to be neatly folded, and sometimes labeled or packaged.
• Handling and stocking: Individual pieces require additional time to organize, display, count, and maintain.
• Inventory management: A shop may end up with leftover pieces or uneven quantities of certain prints.

And if you're purchasing a coordinating bundle, there's often additional work involved in selecting fabrics that complement one another.

In other words, you're not necessarily paying for more fabric. You're paying for the additional preparation and convenience.

Of course, not every quilt shop prices fat cuts the same way. Some sell them at the equivalent yardage price, while others charge a little extra.

But Here's Something Else to Consider...

Sometimes purchasing fat cuts can actually save you money!

Let's say you're making a scrappy quilt and want 20 different fabrics.

You could purchase larger cuts of each fabric, but that might leave you with quite a bit of yardage you don't need.

Buying smaller fat cuts allows you to get a greater variety of prints without purchasing as much of each one.

So even if the price per yard is a little higher, the total cost of your project might be lower.

The trick is knowing how much fabric you actually need and choosing the cut that makes the most sense for your project.

When Is a Fat Cut NOT the Best Choice?

As useful as fat cuts are, they aren't always the right option.

Suppose your quilt pattern requires several width-of-fabric (WOF) strips for borders or binding.

A regular quarter yard gives you a strip approximately 44 inches long, which may be just what you need.

A fat quarter, on the other hand, is only about 22 inches in its longest direction.

You have the same amount of fabric, but you may need to join more pieces to get the length required.

The same principle applies to directional prints. If all your pieces need to face a particular direction, the shape of your fabric can make a big difference in how many usable pieces you can cut.

The takeaway? Don't automatically assume a fat cut is better. Look at the shapes and sizes your project requires before deciding which cut makes the most sense.

A Few Tips for Getting the Most Out of Fat Cuts

• Check the actual measurements. Not every manufacturer's precuts are identical, and usable dimensions can vary.
• Pay attention to directional prints. Stripes, words, animals, and other directional designs may limit how you can arrange your cutting pieces.
• Think about shrinkage before prewashing. Small cuts can lose valuable usable inches after washing and squaring up.
• Save your leftovers! Even small pieces from fat eighths and fat sixteenths can be useful for appliqué, scrappy blocks, and other little projects.
• Read your pattern's fabric requirements carefully. A pattern designed for fat quarters may not work with fat sixths, even if the total yardage seems sufficient.

A Little Fabric Knowledge Goes a Long Way!

One of the things I've discovered since buying a quilt shop is that there's always something new to learn about fabric, even when it's something as seemingly simple as how a piece is cut!

Fat quarters may get most of the attention, but their smaller (and larger!) relatives deserve a little love, too.

The next time you're shopping for fabric, take a moment to think about the shapes you'll need for your project. Sometimes choosing a different cut can make your cutting easier, reduce waste, and help you get more out of every inch.

And if you happen to find yourself asking for a few fat sixths at your local quilt shop, just remember: they're much easier to sew with than they are to say! 😉