Buying Fabric From Us - What You Need to KnowUpdated 2 days ago
Buying Fabric From Us - What You Need to Know
Whether you need a single fat quarter to try a new print or several metres for a bigger project, this guide covers how we sell fabric, what our pre-cut packs include and how to work out exactly how much you need.
How we sell fabric
We sell fabric by the metre or as quarter-metre cuts. The minimum order is a quarter metre, available as either a long quarter or a fat quarter.
Continuous cut at full width
Fabric ordered by the metre is cut as a single continuous piece at the full fabric width. Enter the length you need and it will arrive as one piece. However much you order arrives as a single continuous length - so 3m comes as one piece, not three separate cuts.
Long quarters and fat quarters
A quarter-metre cut is the smallest amount we sell. It is available in two shapes - a long quarter or a fat quarter. Both are a 25cm cut of the same fabric; the difference is the width of the piece you receive. See the section below for a full explanation of each.
Fabric widths
Most of our fabric is a standard 44 inches wide. We also carry some fabrics at 60 inches and our wide backing fabric runs at 108 inches. The width for each product is shown on its individual product page.
Fat quarter or long quarter - what is the difference?
Both are a 25cm cut of fabric. The difference is the shape, and the shape matters depending on what you are making.
Long quarter
A long quarter is cut at 25cm along the length at the full fabric width - giving a wide, shallow strip. It suits garment sewing, home furnishings and any project that needs the full fabric width in one piece. It is also a good choice for patchwork strips, log cabin blocks and binding, where long uninterrupted lengths are more useful than a squarer piece.
Long quarters always cut in continuous lengths. Order a quantity of 4 and you receive a single 1-metre piece at full width, not four separate cuts.
Fat quarter
A fat quarter is cut at 50cm along the length at half the fabric width - giving a piece roughly 50cm x 56cm. This shape is more practical for patchwork and quilting, where having extra width to cut blocks from matters more than length.
If you order more than one fat quarter of the same fabric, see the section below to understand exactly what you will receive.
Ordering more than one fat quarter
When you order multiple fat quarters of the same fabric, they are combined rather than cut as separate pieces. Every two fat quarters pair up to make one continuous full-width piece. Odd quantities always include a continuous piece plus one separate fat quarter.
| Quantity | What you receive |
|---|---|
| 1 | One fat quarter — 50cm x half width |
| 2 | One continuous piece — 50cm x full width continuous |
| 3 | One continuous piece (50cm x full width) + one fat quarter two pieces |
| 4 | One continuous piece — 1m x full width continuous |
| 5 | One continuous piece (1m x full width) + one fat quarter two pieces |
| 6 | One continuous piece — 1.5m x full width continuous |
Pre-cut fabric packs - jelly rolls, charm packs, layer cakes and more
Pre-cuts are fabric bundles cut to standard sizes, ready to use straight from the pack with no rotary cutting needed. Each piece in a pack is cut from a different coordinating fabric within the same designer collection.
Mini Charm Pack
The smallest pre-cut square. A great way to see every print in a collection at minimal cost, and ideal for intricate patchwork and small projects.
Charm Pack
The classic pre-cut. Perfect for charm quilts, half-square triangles and any pattern that works in 5-inch blocks. A popular starting point for beginners.
Layer Cake
Generous 10-inch squares that work well for larger quilt blocks, table runners and designs where the print needs room to show itself off.
Fat Quarter Bundle
A coordinated set of fat quarters from the same collection. The most versatile pre-cut, with each piece large enough to cut almost anything from.
Honey Bun
Narrow strips suited to braided quilts, detailed strip piecing and binding. The finer width makes them ideal for delicate, intricate strip work.
Jelly Roll
The most popular strip pre-cut. The right width for strip quilts, the jelly roll race and a huge range of patchwork patterns. A great way to get a full collection in one purchase.
Wide width backing fabric
Standard fabric at 44 inches usually means joining widths to back a quilt. Wide backing fabric at 108 inches removes that problem entirely.
What is wide backing fabric?
Wide backing fabric is approximately 108 inches (274cm) wide - wide enough to back most quilts as a single piece with no seams needed. It saves time, removes the join from the back of the quilt and gives a much cleaner finish.
- No need to join widths - one piece covers most standard quilt sizes
- Sold by the metre at the full 108-inch width, so you need far less length than with standard fabric
- Available in plains and low-key prints designed to sit quietly behind a quilt front
- Works well with both hand and machine quilting
As a rough guide: a cot quilt needs around 1 to 1.2m of wide backing, a single quilt around 1.6 to 1.8m, and a double around 2 to 2.2m. Always measure your finished quilt top and add at least 10 to 15cm on each side to allow for quilting movement.
Not sure about a colour before you order?
Screen colours are never an exact match for real fabric. We offer a simple sample service so you can check a fabric at home before committing to the full amount - and there is important information about dye lots worth reading before you order.
Read about colour and our sample service →Common questions about buying fabric
Questions we are asked most often - covering the things that catch people out.
Do you supply fabric samples?
What is a fat quarter of fabric?
What is the difference between a fat quarter and a long quarter?
What is the minimum amount of fabric I can order?
What is a jelly roll and how does it differ from a charm pack or layer cake?
What is a honey bun and how is it different from a jelly roll?
Will multiple fat quarters of the same fabric arrive as separate pieces?
Do pre-cut packs contain every print in a collection?
Do I need wide backing fabric for a quilt?
Not sure what you need? We are happy to help.
If you are unsure how much to order, which pre-cut to go for or anything else - give us a call or drop us a message and we will point you in the right direction.