How long would you wait?

Please forgive me; I usually just lurk.

I'm a seamstress, quilter, and stitcher.

I've never seen/heard of a "fat quarter" that was any bigger than 18 x

-- Brenda

Like so many of us, particularly in this group, I'm one of the people who does like to educate myself and learn as much as I can. I, therefore, looked for a definition of "fat quarter" through Google. Here's what I found:

Definitions of Fat Quarter on the Web:

a.. A quarter yard of fabric cut with the dimensions of 18" x 22" rather than 9" x 44". Basically, a half yard of fabric cut in half to produce a more square piece of fabric. Many quilters feel that a fat quarter cut gives them more option than a tradition quarter yard cut of fabric.

b.. a common fabric measurement in the US - fat quarters are pre-cut pieces of cotton quilting cloth, taken from one yard of fabric, cut in half lengthwise, and in half widthwise, rather than lengthwise. This is often a more useful shape, approximately 18" x 22", than a normal quarter-yard cut, measuring 44" x 9".

c.. one quarter of a square yard (or metre) of fabric, cut to about 18x22 inches (~50x56 cm), as compared to a regular quarter-yard cut which measures

d.. A quarter yard of fabric measuring approximately 18 x 22 inches, made by cutting a half yard in half again midway between the selvages. Allows for cutting wider block components than a standard quarter yard, which is 9 x 44 inches. h30039.www3.hp.com/learn/art_glossary.html

I've never heard the term fat quarter used in anything but quilting instructions and would have had to ask someone, or look it up too. If you're using a term that isn't generally used in needlework other than quilting, wouldn't it be better to just give the dimensions of the piece of fabric.

Lucille

Technically, a fat quarter is a quarter yard of fabric, but rather than being cut along the length of the fabric to yield a (9"x width of fabric) piece, it's cut by taking a half yard (18" x width of fabric) and then cutting it in half, to yield a quarter yard cut that is (18"x half width of fabric).

Most quilting fabrics are 44"-45" wide, so a fat quarter is 18"x22". Many embroidery fabrics are 60" wide, so a fat quarter of them is

jenn

-- Jenn Ridley : snipped-for-privacy@chartermi.net WIP: Art Stitch Rose Trio, Emperor's Coat, Carousel, Romance Most recently Finished: Halloween Circle, Always be a Wildflower, FrankenFlora

Did you read what I typed? "It's a half yard of 45" wide fabric", or a fat quarter yard of 90" fabric.

But why did they have to ask? Didn't you explain what a fat quarter was, and why it's called that? All it takes is one sentence: "A fat quarter cut is a quarter yard of fabric, cut 18" x half the width of the fabric".

-- Jenn Ridley : snipped-for-privacy@chartermi.net WIP: Art Stitch Rose Trio, Emperor's Coat, Carousel, Romance Most recently Finished: Halloween Circle, Always be a Wildflower, FrankenFlora

Going right back to square one, this is what I meant. If one has an interest in the subject, today we have many resources immediately to hand and we can find out what we need to know.

If, on the other hand, we have little to no interest, anybody telling us how to be absolutely correct usually is a turnoff.

A group like ours usually gives a friendly, informative answer to a question asked but I would like to point out, it is an answer to a question asked, indicating the enquirer is already interested in knowing more about said subject.

Pissy I know, but apt I believe.

(big grin meant in the warmest way) I had no idea what a fat quarter was. I came across the terminology here at RCTN a couple years ago to describe purchasing plain, even weaves for cross stitch (or other counted work) projects.

There was a huge discussion about this. So, to avoid confusion - since this term was new to me - I put up a web page that describes it.

Where this term originated? Maybe quilters. But it's also used by the "heirloom sewing" crowd, which has nothing whatsoever to do with quilting. And it's well known by retailers who sell the plain, even weaves that counted stitchers use. It's also used by those who sell fabric of any kind, including blanketing. So, it's not an uncommon term in the sewing industry. And all fabrics are not 45" wide, although that's the most common width.

The correct definition is half the width by half a yard.

Now, since I haven't seen the book, and don't know exactly how it was defined, but am relying on information given to me . . . it's possible there was a further explanation that the reader didn't understand.

All I was getting at was that there is a lot of misinformation out there. And here's a great example, as this discussion keeps going forth. :-)

Dianne

lizard-gumbo wrote:

So basically the definition hinges on how wide the fabric is.

And one really shouldn't say "fat quarter" in instructions for Project X without specifying the actual dimensions--particularly if the writer is using "fat quarter" based on a fabric wider than 45".

Yes. Kinda :-) The definition is: one half the width by one-half yard in length (along the selvage). The dimensions hinge on how wide the fabric is.

The pattern can be measured for the dimensions, and the measurement is listed elswhere. However, in the list of materials, I was overruled. Editors took over and made the decision based on the peculiar fabric used. Ironically, to make it easier when people ordered.

Like my knitting instructions on a recent post, someone answered: Sometimes you just have to follow the directions. But I agree, sometimes you get lost. :-) In the end, isn't that how we learn? We get stuck, we put out a call for help, we get answers. Not everything we do is straightforward. That's no sin on our part if we haven't had experience and need help.

Dianne

Call her, say you no longer have need of it and start searching elsewhere. Poor business practice on her part not to have made a deadline commitment. Stringing you along is not fair. You've waited long enough. Don't be surprised if she has forgotten all about it. val

I am very new here. Found out about this group from the Monica Ferris books.

I agree that you should look elsewhere.

I have a friend who has a physical store and I am building an on line store. We are 135 miles apart so the phone company loves us. She is in Helen, GA (Northeast GA) and I am in West central GA near Alabama with no functioning vehicle:(

I used to help out at her store occasionally. If someone wants something ordered she make sure that she gets their phone number so she can call them when it comes in (or doesn't). Usually the item will be ordered within that week. It may take a day or two to figure out what else to order from that particular supplier to flesh out the order since many have a minimum. She also gives the customer some kind of time frame to expect the item to be in.

IMO, I would call the customer after a couple of weeks if it did not come in just to let the person know that I had not forgot.

Another view point is that if the customer has not heard from the store they may want to check back in 3 or 4 weeks. If not, then the store owner may figure the customer got it somewhere else and no longer wants it. Many suppliers no longer automatically send out something that was out of stock when first ordered. It has to actually be ordered all over again.

Of course, there are the cases where someone wants something ordered, the store says it will arrive in 7 - 10 days, customer says OK. The item comes in quicker, the store is pleased :) Calls the customer and is told they are no longer interested or they already found it elsewhere or you leave a message on voice mail 2 different times and they never get back to you. The store's money is tied up in the item they now have to try and sell it. In most cases that is not really a problem, but it is irritating. I think if it is an expensive or odd item, my friend may require a partial payment as deposit. I'm not sure, but it would make sense.

And you are right, virtual stores do tend to list in their catalog stuff which is not actually in stock. I am doing that, too, but not a lot and not stuff from suppliers that have given delivery problems in the past. And if something is ordered and it cannot be filled in a reasonable time, I would certainly deal with it and in fairness to the customer because I want them to order from me again.

Ok, I'll shut up and go back to reading now.

Naomah