Fat quarter frustrations

[Stargatefan]

Just a note to those of you who read this - when you buy fat quarters, make sure you measure them before you buy them - even if it's from a reliable LQS. I bought several fat quarters - black and white - for a specific quilt I am making for my nephew. I brought them home, washed them, and discovered they were actually 18 by 20 not 22. I can't take them back since they've been washed. I know YOU know how frustrating this is. So, just thought I would pass on my late-coming wisdom to you. SO, I'll be out today shopping for more b/w fats. Oh, I'll be able to use parts of them, and eventually the scraps for a scrap quilt but still!

[quilterbee]

That's because you washed them. Washing FQ's is a risky move. If you like your FQs washed, you could buy a little more than half yard and cut it yourself. Amie

[mic-pa]

Unfortunately some fabrics only come 40 to 42 inches wide. I used to own a quilt shop and the various companys started shortening there fabrics so most are no longer 44 to 45 inches in wide.
That could be why you are not getting the "fat qtr." you thought you should. Marge

[WeeOne]

Marge is right. When I measure fabric, before washing, they are never 44 - 45" any more. Also the quilt shop owners should be yelling at the fabric companies....I understand that most bolts should be 15 yds, but they are 2 - 3 yds less, but they have to pay the same.

[Quilter7]

One class I took gave instructions for estimating yardage and said to only count on 40" wof. Sometimes you get one more cut than you count on, but usually it works.