Hi Pat,
Thanks for your information.
I do have some comments not meant to offend anyone.
DL >-> Please explain what a fat quarter is and how it got its name.
PK > A fat quarter is a cut of fabric that measures 18x22".  You get a fat
PK > quarter by taking a half yard of material and cutting it in half 
lengthwise
PK > instead  of widthwise.
I thought that's what I read somewhere, but wasn't sure.  Figured there may 
be others that were curious also.
PK > The reaason that you would want a FQ over a 1/4th yard is that when you
PK > are cutting pieces (using templates) you can cut more pieces out of a fq
PK > than a 1/4 yard.
Wouldn't this depend on the size of the template being used.
9" X 44" = 396 sq "     and      18" X 22" = 396 sq "
I just had out my trusty pencil and piece of paper and drew a schematic and 
using a 3.5" sq came up with the same number of squares. The only difference 
came in the left-over strips.
The FQ has a 1" strip and a 4" strip; and the regular 1/4 yard had two 2" 
strips left.
Guess it would depend on what you were going to use the left-overs for. Could 
get lots of 1.5" finished blocks from the 2" strips tho. ;-)
PK > If you are using strips though the 1/4 yard works just as
PK > well or better.
I'll agree with this.  It's much easier to tear the strips and the longer the 
better.
I was taught to tear, because it is always on the grain.  Unless the fabric 
is washed before using, and then cut, the cut-out square/triangle may not be 
on the grain.
Guess that's why they always tore fabric years ago.  So it would be on the 
grain.  Sure can't say that today.  Not only is it not cut on the grain, a 
lot of time the design isn't even printed so it is on the grain correctly.  
Found this out while working for 2.25 yrs at Hancock Fabrics.
PK > The reason it is called a fat quarter is because it is a short, FAT
PK > version of a 1/4 yard.  :)  At least that is why I think it got the 
ame!
PK > There is also fat eights which are 1/4 yard cuts cut in half widthwise.
PK > These are done for the same reason as the fat quarters.
Love your answer for naming it a FQ or F8. ;-)
Thanks again for the info.
ttyl
Donna
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