Fat Quarter

A fat quarter (FQ) is a quilting industry standard cut: instead of cutting a quarter yard as a 9-inch strip across the full width of the fabric (9×44 inches), the fabric is cut as a half-yard piece and then cut in half again parallel to the selvage, yielding an 18×22-inch rectangle. This near-square shape is more versatile for cutting blocks because you can cut squares and rectangles that would be impossible from a narrow 9-inch strip. Fat quarters are sold individually and in coordinated bundles; they're the most popular precut size and a staple of every quilter's stash.