Explore 9 pre-cut formats — from jelly rolls to layer cakes — with sizing, tips, and pattern recommendations
Jelly Rolls
2.5" x 42"
Charm Packs
5" x 5"
Fat Quarters
18" x 21"
Layer Cakes
10" x 10"
Honey Buns
1.5" x 42"
Mini Charm Packs
2.5" x 2.5"
Fat Eighths
9" x 21"
Turnovers
6" x 6" (half-square triangles)
Dessert Rolls
5" x 42"
| Type | Size | Count | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jelly Rolls | 2.5" x 42" | ~40 strips | $30-$45 | Strip quilts, bargello patterns, jelly roll races, and binding strips |
| Charm Packs | 5" x 5" | ~42 squares | $10-$18 | Charm-friendly quilts, disappearing nine-patch, postage stamp quilts, and fabric sampling |
| Fat Quarters | 18" x 21" | 1 piece | $3-$6 each | Any quilt pattern, small projects, applique, and building a coordinated fabric stash |
| Layer Cakes | 10" x 10" | ~42 squares | $30-$50 | Large-block quilts, quick projects, showcasing fabric prints, and sub-cutting into smaller units |
| Honey Buns | 1.5" x 42" | ~40 strips | $25-$40 | Fine strip quilts, miniature blocks, string piecing, and accent strips |
| Mini Charm Packs | 2.5" x 2.5" | ~42 squares | $5-$12 | Miniature quilts, mug rugs, postage stamp quilts, and fabric sampling |
| Fat Eighths | 9" x 21" | 1 piece | $1.50-$3.50 each | Scrap quilts, small components, color variety on a budget, and applique |
| Turnovers | 6" x 6" (half-square triangles) | ~40 triangles | $20-$35 | Half-square triangle quilts, pinwheels, flying geese, and chevron designs |
| Dessert Rolls | 5" x 42" | ~40 strips | $35-$55 | Wide strip quilts, sub-cutting into squares or narrower strips, and bold designs |
Pre-Cut Planning Tool
Pick your pre-cut type and quilt size to get an instant pack estimate with waste breakdown.
Open the calculator2.5" x 42" · ~40 strips
Strip quilts, bargello patterns, jelly roll races, and binding strips
5" x 5" · ~42 squares
Charm-friendly quilts, disappearing nine-patch, postage stamp quilts, and fabric sampling
18" x 21" · 1 piece
Any quilt pattern, small projects, applique, and building a coordinated fabric stash
10" x 10" · ~42 squares
Large-block quilts, quick projects, showcasing fabric prints, and sub-cutting into smaller units
1.5" x 42" · ~40 strips
Fine strip quilts, miniature blocks, string piecing, and accent strips
2.5" x 2.5" · ~42 squares
Miniature quilts, mug rugs, postage stamp quilts, and fabric sampling
9" x 21" · 1 piece
Scrap quilts, small components, color variety on a budget, and applique
6" x 6" (half-square triangles) · ~40 triangles
Half-square triangle quilts, pinwheels, flying geese, and chevron designs
5" x 42" · ~40 strips
Wide strip quilts, sub-cutting into squares or narrower strips, and bold designs
Fat quarters give you maximum cutting flexibility for any block pattern, while jelly rolls are purpose-built for efficient strip quilts. Choose fat quarters when your pattern has varied piece shapes; choose jelly rolls when you want speed and coordinated strips.
Charm packs (5" squares) are ideal for intricate patchwork with lots of print variety. Layer cakes (10" squares) make bigger, bolder quilts faster and showcase large-scale prints better. Both contain ~42 pieces from one collection.
Jelly rolls (2.5" strips) are the versatile workhorse for most strip quilts. Honey buns (1.5" strips) create finer, more intricate designs but require more precision. Choose jelly rolls for most projects; choose honey buns when you want a delicate, high-piece-count result.
Pre-cuts offer convenience, guaranteed coordination, and time savings. Yardage offers unlimited cutting flexibility, better value per yard, and the ability to fussy-cut motifs. Most quilters use both: pre-cuts for variety and yardage for backgrounds, borders, and binding.
Pre-cuts are fabric pieces that have been cut to standard sizes before packaging. They save cutting time, guarantee consistent measurements, and come from coordinated fabric collections so colors and prints work together.
Pre-cuts cost more per square inch than equivalent yardage, but the premium pays for precision cutting, color coordination, and time savings. For quilters who value variety over volume, pre-cuts are an excellent investment.
Most quilters do not pre-wash pre-cuts. The small sizes fray significantly in the wash, and the factory sizing (starch) helps with accurate cutting and sewing. If you normally pre-wash yardage, use pre-cuts only with other unwashed fabrics.
Yes, but check sizing. A Moda charm pack is exactly 5", while other brands may vary slightly. Always square up pieces before sewing when mixing brands.
Fat quarters are the most versatile — their generous 18" x 21" size works with virtually any quilt pattern. Jelly rolls are the easiest to use, since many beginner-friendly patterns are designed specifically for 2.5" strips.
Preview fabrics, plan your layout, and calculate how many pre-cuts you need — all in one free tool.