As with many things "quilting", precuts have fans and foes. Free spirits want to forge their own path - and choose their own combination of prints and colors. Nervous Nellies find great comfort in the already coordinated groups of fabrics. No right or wrong here, folks - you can go either way.
That's one of my favorite aspects of quilting - that no matter your path, there is something for everyone. I LOVE that. I love that I can crush on lime or orange backgrounds, asymmetrical settings, and improv style blocks, while others crave the serenity of a cream background, neat rows of blocks, and perfectly matched points. Whatever your inclination may be, you may encounter precuts - in your favorite fabric store, on your favorite website, or in your new pattern.
Let's explore what precuts are, ok?!
What is a precut?
Well, as the name implies, it is a cut of fabric that is a specific size. There are common sizes of precuts that can be purchased in a collection of fabrics, usually from the same manufacturer AND from the same fabric line. These sizes will be the same no matter which fabric company produces them. Some common precuts are:
2 1/2" strips: companies may refer to them by different names such as jelly roll (Moda), strip sets (Island Batik), bali pops (Hoffman), Roll-Ups (Robert Kauffman), or Designer Rolls (FreeSpirit). Each contain 2 1/2" x WOF strips - most contain 40 to 44 strips, often 2 each of different prints. But, of course, that can vary.
Yes, you can find TONS of patterns and books using 2 1/2" strips!
Mini Charm Packs: not all companies offer mini charm packs, and I couldn't find other names for charm packs (not saying there aren't other names, just that I couldn't find any other references). So what is a mini charm pack? As the name implies, they are MINI squares. Each square is 2 1/2" x 2 1/2", and most Mini Charm packs contain multiples of prints from a specific or coordinated fabric line.
Charm Packs: Nickles, charms, stamps - the bigger sister to the mini charm packs, but packaged exactly the same way, charm packs are 5" squares. Ah....finally something a little bigger and easier to work with, right? Again, charm packs generally have multiples from a specific fabric line. And yes, dear quilting friend, you can find patterns and books devoted to created projects from your oh so appealing charm packs. Personally, I think they are so stinkin' cute, I have a hard time breaking the pack up to even use! I know, I know - not the purpose of the packs. Like this adorable charm pack (to the right) from Fat Quarter Shop (and you thought they just sold fat quarters??!!)....too cute!
Layer Cake: Stacks, squares, stackers - they are the big (and popular!) sister to the other charm packs. Layer cakes are 10" squares, usually of 40 - 44 fabrics from a line, often with two (or more) of each print. One of the reasons 10" square stacks are so popular is because they offer versatility. Need a charm pack - no worries! You can cut the 10" squares into four 5" squares quickly. Need a large center for a block? Done!
Fat Eights: An eighth of a yard is 4 1/2" x WOF (often 40" - 44"). A Fat Eight is 9" x 22", so basically it is a 1/4 yard cut, cut in half. Fat eights give you more options for width of cuts, and are often offered in rolls or bundles, much as charm packs and jelly rolls are packaged.
Fat Quarter: A quarter of a yard is 9 x WOF (often 40" x 44"). A Fat Quarter is 18" x 22", so it is a 1/2 yard cut, cut in half. Just as with the Fat Eight, you have more options for cutting different sizes from the wider cut. You'll often find fat quarters neatly (and often cutely) folded and bundled. And yes, you guessed it - patterns, books - the options for what you can do with your bundles is virtually endless.
Ok, so now you know WHAT precuts are. Great. But WHY use precuts. Again, personal choice. It is quick - the precuts are already cut and packaged, so there's absolutely no waiting at the cutting table. Just pick up, check out and go! Like jelly beans or potato chips, you probably can't stop with just one, either!
Many folks like to purchase precuts because, depending upon the size of the bundle, it can be an inexpensive way to use many different fabrics in a single project. Or a fun, easy way to try mixing prints and colors without all the stress of trying to coordinate scale, print and color.
Take my Ins and Outs pattern (above) for example. Some folks would have absolutely NO problem choosing 22 different prints to mix and match for creating the table runner (and placemats). But others would practically break out in hives. Using a strip set - or jelly roll - takes the pressure off, as the fabrics have been chosen for you. AND if the pattern is designed for a 2 1/2" strip set, there's no precutting. That's right - you pull the fabrics out of the package and start sewing!
Are there downfalls to using precuts? Hmmmm....well, prewashing can be an issue. Because they are precut, you have a ton of raw edges, which means fraying. So what to do? If you are making a project with JUST your precuts, you can skip the prewashing if you are not worried about dye bleeding from a dark to a light. But if you are worried about color bleed, or if you are mixing those precuts with other fabrics, you are probably wanting to prewash, right?
Some suggestions: put your precuts in a mesh bag or pillowcase and seal it up before tossing it in the washer. Some folks snip two corner of their squares to limit fraying. But go into this with eyes open, folks. There will be fraying. Really. And you will have to press each of those lovely cuts before tackling your project.
Are you a fan of precuts? I'd love to hear your reasons for using precuts, and what some of your favorite types of precut projects are. Please share in the comments!
Head over to Kate's blog. She has, as always, great insights for you on the pros and cons of precuts.
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