Guide ·
What you can cut from a fat quarter
How many squares and strips a 18 × 21 in fat quarter yields at common cut sizes.
A fat quarter is a quarter yard cut as an 18 by 21 inch rectangle instead of a long strip, which is why it yields more usable squares. These counts come from the same cutting layouts our patterns use, so they allow a rotary cutter to follow straight lines, not a jigsaw.
Squares from one fat quarter
| Cut size | Pieces |
|---|---|
| 2½ × 2½ in square | 56 |
| 3½ × 3½ in square | 30 |
| 4½ × 4½ in square | 16 |
| 5 × 5 in square | 12 |
| 5½ × 5½ in square | 9 |
| 6½ × 6½ in square | 6 |
| 8½ × 8½ in square | 4 |
| 10½ × 10½ in square | 2 |
Counts come from the same cutting layout the patterns use, with pieces nested as tightly as a rotary cutter can follow.
Strips from one fat quarter
| Cut size | Strips |
|---|---|
| 1½ × 21 in strip | 12 |
| 2 × 21 in strip | 9 |
| 2½ × 21 in strip | 7 |
| 3½ × 21 in strip | 5 |
Strips run the long way of the fat quarter.
Patterns this applies to
Numbers on this page are worked out the same way as our patterns and double-checked before publishing.