Fat Quarters and Pre-Cuts Explained: Sizes, Packs and Quantities
A UK fat quarter is half a metre of fabric cut in half again, giving a piece of roughly 50 × 55 cm (about 19½ × 21½ in), while a US-style fat quarter is cut from half a yard and measures roughly 18 × 21–22 in (46 × 53–56 cm). A long quarter is a strip cut across the full width of the bolt: 25 cm × about 110 cm in metric shops. Pre-cuts such as charm packs (5 in squares), layer cakes (10 in squares) and jelly rolls (2½ in strips) are ready-cut bundles that save cutting time and usually include a whole fabric collection.
Here is what each cut gives you, roughly how many you need for common quilt sizes and how to look after them.
Fat quarter vs long quarter
Both are a quarter of a larger piece, but they are cut in different directions, and the shape changes what you can cut from them.
| Cut | How it is cut | Approximate size | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fat quarter (metric) | 50 cm off the bolt, halved along the fold | 50 × 55 cm (19½ × 21½ in) | Squares, blocks, appliqué, small makes |
| Fat quarter (imperial) | Half a yard, halved | 18 × 21–22 in (46 × 53–56 cm) | Patterns written in inches |
| Long quarter (metric) | 25 cm straight across the bolt | 25 × about 110 cm (10 × 43 in) | Borders, binding, long strips |
| Fat eighth | A fat quarter halved | About 25 × 55 cm or 9 × 21–22 in | Scrappy quilts, small blocks |
Exact sizes depend on the fabric's width, usually 106–112 cm (42–44 in) for quilting cotton, and on whether the selvedge is included. Some sellers cut fat eighths the other way, at about 11 × 18 in, as the National Quilters Circle's precut overview shows. Measure before you plan.
Why the "fat" shape helps
A long quarter is only 25 cm deep, so the largest square you can cut is just under 25 cm. A fat quarter lets you cut squares up to about 46–50 cm, which is why it suits block patterns and fussy cutting. Either version of a fat quarter yields twelve 5 in (12.7 cm) squares, or two 10 in (25.4 cm) squares with a little left over.
Standard pre-cuts explained
The well-known names began as one manufacturer's trademarks, so other makers use descriptions such as "5 inch squares" or "2½ inch strips". Sizes are given in inches because that is how the industry cuts them.
| Pre-cut | Piece size | Typical count |
|---|---|---|
| Mini charm pack | 2½ × 2½ in (6.4 cm) | About 40–42 |
| Charm pack | 5 × 5 in (12.7 cm) | About 40–42 |
| Layer cake | 10 × 10 in (25.4 cm) | About 40–42 |
| Jelly roll | 2½ in × width of fabric (6.4 × about 107–112 cm) | About 40–42; smaller rolls around 20 |
| Honey bun | 1½ in × width of fabric | About 40 |
| Fat quarter bundle | Fat quarters as above | Varies by collection |
Always check the label: counts vary between collections, and on pinked (zigzag) edges the usable size starts at the inner points of the zigzag. Browse fat quarters, jelly rolls and charm packs and pre-cut quilt squares to compare formats.
How many do you need for a quilt?
These are rough planning ranges for a simple patchwork quilt top sewn with a ¼ in (6 mm) seam allowance. They do not include borders, backing, wadding or binding, and blocks with triangles or fussy cutting use more fabric. Your pattern's fabric requirements always take priority.
| Quilt size (approx.) | Fat quarters | Pre-cut guide |
|---|---|---|
| Baby / cot, 90 × 110 cm | 6–9 | About 2 charm packs or half a layer cake |
| Throw / lap, 130 × 160 cm | 12–18 | 1 layer cake or 1 jelly roll |
| Single bed, 150 × 200 cm | 18–26 | About 1½–2 jelly rolls |
| Double, 200 × 220 cm | 28–38 | About 2–2½ jelly rolls or 2 layer cakes |
| King, 240 × 240 cm | 38–50 | About 3 jelly rolls or 2½–3 layer cakes |
Worked examples
- One charm pack: 42 squares sewn in a 6 × 7 grid finish at 4½ in each, giving about 27 × 31½ in (69 × 80 cm) before borders, which suits a doll's quilt, table topper or, with a border, a small baby quilt.
- One layer cake: the same grid of 10 in squares finishes at about 57 × 66½ in (145 × 169 cm) before borders, a comfortable throw.
- One jelly roll: sewn end to end in the popular strip "race" style, a roll makes roughly a 50 × 64 in lap quilt, according to Patchwork Posse's jelly roll guide.
If you are new to patchwork, our quilting for beginners guide covers seam allowances, wadding and binding.
To prewash or not?
Quilters disagree about prewashing yardage, but most avoid washing pre-cuts. Small pieces with pinked edges fray, tangle and can shrink out of square, losing the accurate size you paid for.
- Reasons to prewash fat quarters: removing finishes, pre-shrinking and checking whether strong colours run.
- Reasons not to: crisp fabric is easier to cut accurately, and slight shrinkage after the quilt's first wash gives a crinkled look many people like.
- Be consistent: mixing prewashed and unwashed cotton in one quilt can lead to uneven shrinkage.
- Test strong colours: dampen a corner of deep reds, navies and purples and press it against white fabric. If colour transfers, wash that fabric separately or add a colour-catcher sheet when you first wash the finished quilt.
Storing fat quarters and pre-cuts
- Fold fat quarters to a uniform size and store them spine-out, like books, so you can see every print.
- Keep pre-cuts in their wrappers until you use them; jelly rolls unroll and tangle easily.
- Store fabric away from direct sunlight, which fades folds, and away from damp, which encourages mildew. A cupboard or lidded box in a dry room works well.
- Label bundles with the collection name and date bought so you can match them later. See craft and sewing storage for boxes and organisers.
Quick summary
- Metric fat quarter: about 50 × 55 cm. Imperial: about 18 × 21–22 in.
- Long quarter: 25 cm × full width, ideal for strips and borders.
- Charm 5 in, mini charm 2½ in, layer cake 10 in, jelly roll 2½ in strips; around 40–42 pieces each.
- One layer cake or jelly roll makes roughly a throw; follow your pattern for anything precise.
- Avoid prewashing pre-cuts, and test strong colours before washing a finished quilt.
- Cut with care: close your rotary cutter every time you put it down.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a fat quarter in the UK?
A metric fat quarter is half a metre cut in half again, roughly 50 × 55 cm (about 19½ × 21½ in). An imperial fat quarter, cut from half a yard, is roughly 18 × 21–22 in.
What is the difference between a fat quarter and a long quarter?
A long quarter is a 25 cm strip cut across the full width of the bolt, about 25 × 110 cm. A fat quarter is squarer, so you can cut larger squares and blocks from it.
What sizes are charm packs, layer cakes and jelly rolls?
Charm packs contain 5 in squares, layer cakes 10 in squares and jelly rolls 2½ in strips cut across the width of the fabric. Each usually contains around 40–42 pieces, but check the label.
How many fat quarters do I need for a throw quilt?
For a simple patchwork throw of about 130 × 160 cm, plan on roughly 12–18 fat quarters for the quilt top. Borders, backing and binding are extra, and your pattern's requirements take priority.
Should I prewash pre-cuts?
Most quilters do not prewash pre-cuts, because small pieces with pinked edges fray and can shrink out of size. Test strong colours on white fabric first and use a colour-catcher sheet when washing the finished quilt.