Guide to Specialty Cuts
All you need to know about Fat Quarter Bundles, Charm Packs, Jelly Rolls and all the rest.
Many fabric manufacturers offer specialty cut items in conjunction with many of their collections. Specialty cuts, also called pre-cut items, are fabrics cut into specific sizes and typically packaged by collection. There are many different sizes of specialty cuts, and they are based on the most common cuts used by quilters. Besides regular yardage, which is sold by the yard, the most well-known specialty cuts include:
There are many others, and new ones pop up all the time. On top of that, different fabric manufacturers call their cuts different names, although some are the same size.
To help you understand these and find the one you need, we have described each specialty cut we offer below. Keep in mind that not all specialty cuts are available for all groups.
Please note, all of the fabric we sell is 100% cotton and 44" wide unless stated otherwise.
| Size of cut: | 18" x 21" rectangles |  |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Fat Quarters are the first and most common specialty cuts on the market. The term Fat Quarter (defined further in our glossary) refers to a quarter-yard of fabric cut into a rectangle. Most collections will have Fat Quarter Bundles that contain every print. Also, some collections will have a variety of Fat Quarter Bundles that contain a selection of coordinating prints. | |
| Shop our Fat Quarter Bundles Shop our Fat Quarter Bundle Patterns Quilting with Precuts YouTube Video |
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| Size of cut: | 9" x 21" rectangles |  |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Manufactured by Moda Fabrics, Fat Eighths measure 9" x 21", rather than the typical one-eighth yard cut of 4.5" x 42". | |
| Shop our Fat Eighth Bundles Quilting with Precuts YouTube Video |
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| Size of cut: | 5" x 5" squares |  |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Charm packs are one of the smallest and least expensive specialty cut. Their popularity stems from the fact that they are affordable, easy to use, and the size is very common in quilting. Charm Packs typically include one square of every fabric within a collection so the number of pieces included varies. The size of charm packs may also vary slightly by manufacturer. For instance, RJR Fabrics cuts their Charm Packs to 5.5" x 5.5". | |
| Also known as: | Charm Squares, Jolly Packs® (a Fat Quarter Shop exclusive) or 5" Stackers by Riley Blake Designs | |
| Commonly used for: | One-patch blocks, four-patch blocks, corner triangles, flying geese blocks See cutting tips for Charm Packs from Moda |
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| Shop our Charm Packs Shop our Charm Pack Patterns Quilting with Precuts YouTube Video |
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| Size of cut: | 2.5" x 2.5" squares |  |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Mini Charm Packs are the newest precuts from Moda Fabrics. They are also known as Moda Candy! Mini Charm Packs are great for small projects, easy reference or just for collecting! | |
| Shop our Mini Charm Packs Quilting with Precuts YouTube Video |
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| Size of cut: | 2.5" x 44" strips |  |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Manufactured by Moda Fabrics, Jelly Rolls are different prints from a single collection rolled together and cut length-wise into 2.5" x 44" strips. They are available by collection and have become very popular over the past few years. Jelly Rolls typically include 40 strips of fabric but occasionally can vary. | |
| Similar to: | Bali Pops by Hoffman Fabrics - 2.5" x 44" strips Strip-Tease Buns by Island Batiks - 2.5" x 44" strips Twice the Charms by RJR Fabrics - 5.5" x 21" strips Stone Strips by Northcott Fabrics - 2.5" x 44" strips Rolie Polies by Riley Blake Designs - 2.5" x 44" strips Roll Ups by Robert Kaufman Fabric - 2.5" x 44" strips Tonga Treat Strips by Timeless Treasures - 2.5" x 44" strips |
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| Shop our Jelly Rolls Shop our Jelly Roll Patterns Quilting with Precuts YouTube Video |
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| Size of cut: | 10" x 10" squares |  |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Manufactured by Moda Fabrics, Layer Cakes are similar to a Charm Pack in its square shape but at a larger size. They are available by collection and typically include 42 pieces of fabric, though the number may vary by collection. | |
| Commonly used for: | Squares, half-square triangles, quarter-square triangles, strips and circles See cutting tips for Layer Cakes from Moda |
|
| Similar to: | 10" Stackers by Riley Blake Designs |
|
| Shop our Layer Cakes Shop our Layer Cake Patterns Quilting with Precuts YouTube Video |
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| Size of cut: | 1.5" x 44" strips |  |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Manufactured by Moda Fabrics, Honey Buns are different prints from a single collection rolled together and cut lengthwise into 1.5" x 44" strips. They are available for select collections and are especially helpful for the tiniest cuts in quilting. Honey Buns typically include 40 strips of fabric. They are a narrower version of Jelly Rolls. | |
| Also known as: | Sweet Rolls | |
| Shop our Honey Buns Shop our Honey Bun Patterns Quilting with Precuts YouTube Video |
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| Size of cut: | 5" x 44 " strips |  |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Manufactured by Moda Fabrics, Dessert Rolls contain 20 different fabrics from a collection cut into 5" x 44" strips. |
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| Similar to: | Fat Rolls by Windham Fabrics - 5" x 44" strips |
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| Shop our Dessert Rolls Quilting with Precuts YouTube Video |
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| Size of cut: | 6" hexagons |  |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Moda introduced Honeycomb Hexagons! These are collections of 40 6" hexagons. Each Honeycomb hexagon measures 6" from point to opposite point, with a horizontal measurement of 5 1/4". | |
| Shop our Honeycomb Hexagons How to sew hexagons together by machine How to sew the Moda Honeycomb Pre-Cut YouTube Video |
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| Size of cut: | 2.5" x 44" strips |  |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Manufactured by Hoffman Fabrics, Bali Pops are 2.5” x 44” cuts of different prints in a single collection. They are available for some Hoffman batik collections and typically include one of each print in a collection. They also work for most Jelly Roll patterns. | |
| Similar to : | Jelly Rolls | |
| Shop our Bali Pops Shop our Bali Pop Patterns Quilting with Precuts YouTube Video |
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| Size of cut: | 5.5" x 21" strips |  |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | Manufactured by RJR Fabrics, a Twice the Charm is a roll of 5.5” x 21” cuts of different prints in a single collection. They are available for some RJR collections and typically include one of each print in a collection. They are useful when a cut slightly larger than a Charm Pack is required. They also work for most Jelly Roll patterns. | |
| Similar to: | Jelly Rolls | |
| Shop our Twice the Charms Shop our Twice the Charm Patterns Quilting with Precuts YouTube Video |
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| Size of cut: | 5" x 5" squares |  |
|---|---|---|
| Description: | A Fat Quarter Shop exclusive, Jolly Packs are 5" x 5" cuts of different prints in a single collection. Their popularity stems from the fact that they are affordable, easy to use, and the size is very common in quilting. | |
| Similar to: | Charm Packs | |
| Commonly used for: | One-patch blocks, four-patch blocks, corner triangles, flying geese blocks See cutting tips for Charm Packs from Moda |
|
| Shop our Charm Packs Shop our Charm Pack Patterns Quilting with Precuts YouTube Video |
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Bedding Measurements Guide
| Mattress Size | Quilt Size | |
| Crib | 27" x 52" | 36" x 60" |
| Twin | 39" x 75" | 63" x 87" |
| Full | 54" x 75" | 78" x 87" |
| Queen | 60" x 80" | 84" x 92" |
| King | 76" x 80" | 98" x 106" |
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Glossary of Quilting & Quilting Fabric
Definitions of terms commonly used in the wide, wonderful world of quilting.
Appliqué – A sewing technique for attaching pieces of fabric onto a background fabric, often cut with the aid of a template. Appliqués may be stitched to the background by hand as in needle turn using a blind stitch, or by machine, using a satin stitch or blanket stitch.
Backing – The fabric on the underside of a quilt, made from a single cut of fabric or pieced from various fabrics; the bottom of a quilt.
Bias – A 45 degree diagonal direction on a piece of fabric.
Batik – A type of fabric that is dyed in some areas to create multi-layered pattern and colors; Indonesia is best known for its batik fabric.
Batting – The middle layer of a quilt, which provides warmth and loft.
Binding – The final step in making a quilt, these are the strips that enclose the raw edges of your quilt. You may use pieced binding, which is made from strips of one fabric sewn together in the length needed to go around your entire quilt, scrappy binding, which is made from strips of several different fabrics used in your quilt top, or bias binding, which is made with fabric strips cut on the bias.
Block – A designed unit that, when combined with other blocks, comprise a quilt top.
Bolt – A long piece of fabric, usually 44” wide, that is wound around a flat piece of cardboard.
BOM, Block-of-the-Month - A type of quilt club or program in which parts of a quilt are completed on a monthly basis; usually the material and pattern for a single block is sent each month.
Border – Outer pieces included in some quilt designs that may act as a frame for the blocks it surrounds.
Fat Quarter – A frequently used piece of fabric measuring 18" x 21". This size allows for cutting larger pieces than cannot be achieved from a regular quarter yard cut.
Fat Eighth – An eighth-yard of fabric cut to measure 9" x 21", rather than the typical one-eighth yard cut of 4.5" x 40".
Finished Size – The final size of a completed unit or block without seam allowances.
Finishing – Refers to the piece or pieces that complete a quilt, usually including the binding.
Half Square Triangle – Square units made from two fabrics. May be made using two triangles, or by a quick method using two squares, right sides together and stitched 1/4" on either side of a diagonal line. The square is then cut on the drawn line and yields two half square triangles.
LOF, Length of Fabric – The direction of a fabric that runs perpindicular to the WOF.
Panel – A piece of fabric printed with an image, oftentimes used as a quilt's centerpiece, known as a panel quilt.
Piece, piecing, pieced – A technique in which pieces of fabric are joined by a seam.
Quarter Square Triangle – Often called an hourglass unit. Square made from four triangles.
Quilt Kits – A product that contains the pattern and fabric required to make a quilt, usually without the backing.
Quilt Top – The front of a quilt, usually comprised of several blocks.
Sampler Quilt – A type of quilt in which no block repeats in pattern and typically varies in size.
Sashing – Strips of fabric sewn between blocks and/or rows of blocks.
Selvage, selvedge – The edge of fabric, usually printed with information to identify the collection it belongs to and the manufacturer.
Specialty Cuts – Yardage that is precut to specific sizes.
Template – Shape used as a pattern for tracing shapes for applique or piecing.
Unfinished Size – The unfinished size of a complete unit or block with seam allowances.
WOF, Width of Fabric - The direction of a fabric that runs from selvedge to selvedge on a bolt, usually 44" wide unless otherwise noted.
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