Yardage instead of Fat quarters
#31
Super Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Ballwin, MO
Posts: 4,258
Several patterns I am interested in sewing, indicate using fat quarters. I would like to use some of my stash which is mostly l yard or more pieces. I am concerned that the design would be affected. I am so confused and do not know how to adjust the pattern. One pattern suggests 16 FQ which would mean I would have to purchase more fabric. Help me decide what to do. Thank you in advance.
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 818
I think some of the pattern makers are lazy and don't want to go to the trouble of calculating from yardage as well. The only pattern I ever bought had an offhand reference to using yardage, but It was so vague that i ended up drafting it and doing all the calculations from a jelly roll to yardage myself. I think that if you are a well-known pattern and fabric designer and can make plenty of recurring income after the work of putting out the pattern is done, you should a) check it for errors and b) take an extra hour to make the pattern accessible to the people who aren't buying your jelly roll.
JMO,
Charlotte
JMO,
Charlotte
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 453
I ALWAYS prewash my fabric, so I no longer use fat quarters. You can cut your own fat quarters, I'm sure everyone has a way of cutting a fat quarter that they like (two good ways, I use). But I would say Google it, you will get videos on how to cut (you are a quilter and visual is always better). You will be able to use your stash and I would bet dollars to donuts, that you don't use 16 different fabrics. Good luck
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 818
Cutting your own FQ from a yard is probably easiest, but it seems like a shame to make those cuts if you will want a larger piece for something else later (unless I'm not understanding this). Even if you just slice out an 18x21 rectangle, you may be left with weird, small pieces for your scrap bag. Better, if you don't mind all the number crunching, to figure out what will really be needed and cut just that.
Hugs,
Charlotte
Hugs,
Charlotte
#35
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 107
That is correct, I do not have yardage of 16 different fabrics that would go well together. If I use four different fabrics of 1 yard each, would the design of the pattern be effected?
#36
Super Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Ballwin, MO
Posts: 4,258
Yes, most likely the design will be affected with that many fewer fabrics. Are you able to post a picture of the pattern, or a link? If so, we could give more specific input about how you might proceed. There are definitely patterns out there that use fewer fabrics, it's just a question of finding one. If I recall, some of the BQ patterns work with just a few fabrics.
#37
try making up a couple blocks or even 4 and laying them out and see if you like it.
Have fun!! You may become a famous block designer
#38
Super Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Ballwin, MO
Posts: 4,258
Here are two links I found of quilt patterns made with just four fabrics, plus the BQ3 pattern, which looks like it uses four fabrics. These might help you picture how your pattern would look when made with four fabrics instead of the 16.
http://justquilty.com/2013/04/make-a...-four-fabrics/
http://www.amazon.com/Pick-Four-Fabr.../dp/1604680202
http://www.amazon.com/Maple-Island-Q.../dp/B0027S63D6
http://justquilty.com/2013/04/make-a...-four-fabrics/
http://www.amazon.com/Pick-Four-Fabr.../dp/1604680202
http://www.amazon.com/Maple-Island-Q.../dp/B0027S63D6
#39
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: The other Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 1,913
I love using up my stash so I will count whatever I have as a fat quarter and use accordingly. I am starting a polka dot quilt soon and have everything from yardage to layer cake. I am just going to start cutting until I've got the number of pieces the sizes they say in the pattern. If I have more scraps left over, I'll just make the quilt bigger! Gosh! I will be so glad to get rid of those scraps!
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