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How many squares from a yard or fat quarter? Fabric cutting calculator
See how many squares, rectangles or strips you can cut from a yard, half yard, fat quarter or any piece, and how much fabric you need for a set number.
Common cuts from this piece
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How it is counted
The calculator fits whole pieces in rows and columns, tries both orientations for rectangles and keeps the better one. It does not count partial pieces, so the result is what you can really cut with a rotary cutter. Quilting cotton is sold 42–44″ wide; after removing selvages, 40″ is a safe usable width.
How to use it
- Choose the piece of fabric you have: a yard, half yard, quarter yard, fat quarter, fat eighth, or enter a custom size.
- Choose what you want to cut: squares, rectangles or strips, and enter the cut size including seam allowance.
- See how many pieces fit and how much fabric is left over. The table shows common square sizes at a glance.
- Need a set number of pieces? Enter it to see how much yardage to buy.
Questions
How many 5 inch squares can I cut from a yard of fabric?
From a yard of 42 inch quilting cotton (about 40 inches usable), you get 7 strips of 5 inches with 8 squares each: 56 squares of 5 inches.
How many 2 1/2 inch squares are in a fat quarter?
A fat quarter is about 18 × 21 inches, roughly 18 × 20 inches usable. That gives 7 rows of 8 squares: 56 squares of 2 1/2 inches.
How big is a fat quarter?
A fat quarter is a half yard cut in half across the width: about 18 × 21–22 inches. A long quarter is 9 × 42 inches. Both are a quarter of a yard but suit different cuts.
Should cut sizes include seam allowance?
Yes. Enter the size you will actually cut. For a 4 inch finished square with 1/4 inch seams, cut 4 1/2 inch squares.
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