Quilters: Charm paks, Fat Quarters, and jelly rolls...anyone use them?
By coffeebreak
@coffeebreak (17797)
United States
December 25, 2011 9:58pm CST
Charm paks are 5" squares, fat quarters are 18x22" and you can get alot of squares from them and the jelly rolls are 2,1/2"x44" strips.
SO I have been looking at them on line...and they are expensive! $40 for 40 strips, or $30 for 42 5" sq etc. In a way, I can see the advantage of not having to cut them myself and they are good fabric...but still... you only get one of each color usually..or maybe two, so the squares will all be different. If I want to make a quilt with 3 different colors...I can't use the Charm Paks as I need 20 sqs each of three different colors, and some prints and some solids. The Jelly Rolls might help as you can cut 2,1/2" by however long you want. But again, you only get one or two of the same print/solid.
THe Fat quarters seem to me to be the only way to handle the squares needed from 3 different colors. You can buy three fat quarters of the same color/print and then cut your own squares. But again...rather expensive and it seems the only advantage is that you dont' have to cut the squares yourself.
So...first, do you guys use these forms of fabric for your squares? If so...fill me in on the why's and hows and everything. Maybe I am missing something!
Also, if you have a place that sells them reasonably...send me the link! Thanks!
1 response
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
26 Dec 11
I've learned a bit from just reading your post here! I've used fat quarters before but I had only bought them because I liked the color patterns. Usually I just buy remnants unless I'm trying to do something that's completely matching. I also cut out my own squares. Though, I have not worked on my mothers quilt in a few years as it's tedious and I don't have anywhere to really work on it anymore and 2inx2in squares take FOREVER! I'm to the point where I want to disassemble what I've gotten done thus far and redo it and opt for bigger squares and use the small 2x2 in some sort of cluters? Since being home with the kids I mainly get my fabric (not that I need any)and all I buy are reminants anywas are from church rummages or thrift stores... I'm usually looking for calico, plaids, or solids for mine... or some of my Mother's old blouses.
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
26 Dec 11
I'd love to find fabric at rummage sales and such,but sadly...never find any there! 2x2 squares...you are a better person than me...NO WAY am I going to even attempt that! At least until I am MUCH MUCH better at it! Smallest I will go is 3x3 and this is my first time at that small and since I haven't started yet..I might just go 4x4 to make it easier until I learn it all better. It is kind of easy to go bigger cause the biggest square I think is right is 12x12...so it can go 2x2,3x3 and 4x4 and still have the "squares" inside the 12x12. This one that I am doing is 2x2 for a 6" square...but in the pic that looks just to busy for me anyway. so minimum of 3x3 and thinking strongly of 3x4. I will also be learning the trick of how to cut the squares and then sew them together nad cut to make triangles and all that. And to sew rows...and then cut the rows for 6" log-cabin squares.
Glad you are learning from the posts...that's what its all about!
I just bought the fabric I want to use...2 yds each. Fat quarters are still rather expensive....for less than 1/2 a yd! But at the same time...there are more choices it seems. THey are on sale this weekend for $1.99 so I will be checking them out.
