What can you do with a package of fat eights?

I get a monthly present from The Fat Quarter Shop. I pay for a subscription for the monthly sew sampler. It’s a box of quilting goodies that can include thread, rulers, templates, patterns and other notions. It also always includes fabric.

A few months back I got a pack of fat eights, but I had no idea what to do with it. I just assumed that 10 fat eights ( 9″ x 21″ pieces of fabric) didn’t give enough bang for the buck to make an impact on a quilt. Man was I wrong.

You can cut each fat eight into 8  4 1/2″ squares. That gives you 80 squares to play with. That’s that same amount that you get in two charm packs (percut 5″ squares).

It’s true that you don’t get as many different types of fabrics as you do with charm pack – charm packs usually give you 40 unique fabrics – but 10 are really enough to give a really scrappy feel.

If your pattern calls for 2 charm packs, then this quilt will be smaller than the regular charm pack quilt. You can either add a boarder to make the quilt the size that you want, or you can live with it the size that it comes out.

When I see a square, I think half square triangles. I really love half square triangles. They are so versatile. I’m currently in the middle of a tumbling block quilt with my fat eights. I’ll write more about the process what I finish it up.

Have fun with your fat eights!