1) Fat Quarter - a fat quarter is a piece of fabric approximately 18 inches by 22 inches. The way it works is that 1/2 yard of fabric is cut from the bolt, making a piece that is 18 inches wide and the length is determined by the width of the fabric from selvedge to selvedge.Once you have a piece that is 18 inches by 44 inches, you cut it in half again, this time cutting the opposite way, making a piece that is 18 inches by 22 inches.
You can purchase fat quarters as individual pieces of fabric or in a pack as shown in the picture above.
2) Fat Half - This is the same idea as the Fat Quarter, only it is twice as wide. Your first cut is 36 inches, and then the next cut divides that piece in half, making a piece of fabric approximately 36 inches by 22 inches.
3) Jelly Roll - This is a roll of strips of fabric. Each strip is 2 1/2 inches wide and the length is determined by the width of the fabric, so it could be anywhere between 40 inches and 45 inches..
Many shops coordinate the colors in a jelly roll so they all look great in a quilt. In addition, many shops carry special patterns that use jelly rolls.
4) Charm Pack - A charm pack is a stack of 5 inch squares. A charm pack usually contains 40 fabrics, and often the charm pack is color coordinated.
There is also a Sample Charm pack that contains 24 different fabrics.
A charm quilt is one that is made typically from one shape (for example a half-square triangle makes the Thousand Pyramids Quilt, and a diamond would make a Tumbling Blocks quilt.
The idea with a charm quilt is that each fabric in the quilt is different. Many quilters cut a piece of fabric from each one they purchase, and create a quilt - and no two patches match. Other quilters share fabric with their quilting friends - and it would typically only take a 5 inch patch.
5) Quilt kit - Many quilters prefer to buy a quilt kit where all of the fabric is cut into the correct size patches, and you get all of the instructions, pattern, and layouts you need in order to complete the quilt. When you buy one of these kits, all you need do is sew the fabric together using the layout provided. You may need to buy the backing fabric and batting.
All of these quilting fabric types are available at most quilt shops. Many shops create their own Jelly Rolls and Charm Packs. However, some of the fabric manufacturers provide them in coordinated fabrics. Most quilt shops cut their own fat quarters and fat halfs.
Happy Quilting!
Penny Halgren
www.How-to-Quilt.com
