A Beginner Quilter’s Guide to Breaking Fabric Addiction

At the peak of my mother’s sewing frenzy, I wouldn’t doubt that she had at least 500 lbs of fabric in her sewing room. For me, it was one of those terrifying, “One day, this will all be yours!” moments between my Baby Boomer mother and my Gen X sensibilities. Of course, I had no idea I’d one day own a needlework, quilting, and craft store!

Erin and I often have difficulty choosing fabrics for projects because we love most everything we see. A pattern or color scheme will catch our eyes and we’ll think, “Wow! I could really use that!” But when we get home, we realize we had no specific plan for the fabric and found no other choice other than to add it to our pile of “to be used later” fabrics.

Luckily, as a beginning quilter, you shouldn’t have that problem… at least not yet. There’s a way to avoid this trap early and keep your quilting costs under control. Most quilting stores like ours offer pre-cut fabrics that are already portioned for what your project requires. You don’t have to worry about buying too much or figuring out which color schemes and patterns go well together. You’ll be able to do that with ease as you build more quilting experience, but when you’re starting out, you should consider a precut pack.

Pisgah Needleworks offers a variety of pre-cuts from Moda Fabrics (and a few other manufacturers) that have cute names like fat quarters, honeybuns, and charm packs. Here’s a guide to help you learn what each of these pre-cut packs offers and how you can benefit from them:

Popular Types of Fabric Pre-Cuts

Fat Quarters
The most well-known pre-cut, a fat quarter measures 18" x 22" and usually includes one of each print in a collection. They’re versatile, beginner-friendly, and perfect for trying out a wide variety of fabrics without committing to full yardage.

Fat Eighths
Half the size of a fat quarter at 9" x 22", fat eighths give you a taste of a collection while keeping your costs lower. They’re great for small piecing projects or appliqué.

Charm Packs
These contain 42 pre-cut 5" x 5" squares—just right for patchwork quilts, tote bags, or table runners. If you want instant variety, charm packs are a quick win.

Mini Charm Packs (aka Moda Candy)
Tiny but mighty! Each pack holds 42 squares measuring 2 ½" x 2 ½". They’re ideal for scrappy projects, doll quilts, or quilt borders.

Jelly Rolls
A quilter’s favorite, jelly rolls come with 40 strips that are 2 ½" x 45". They’re perfect for strip quilting, log cabin designs, or easy rail fence quilts. Their smaller sibling, the Junior Jelly Roll, contains 20 strips.

Layer Cakes
Each pack includes 42 ten-inch squares, giving you large, versatile pieces for quick quilt tops. Junior Layer Cakes contain 20 squares.

Honey Buns
Don’t let the name fool you—they’re not edible! Honey Buns contain 40 strips that measure 1 ½" x 45". They’re great for sashing, borders, and smaller block work.

Dessert Rolls
These include 10 strips, each 5" x 45". Think of them as a smaller, sweeter take on the jelly roll.

Honeycombs
With 240 pre-cut hexagons at 1.5" per side, these are tailor-made for English paper piecing or modern hexagon quilts.

Turnovers
These triangular pre-cuts (8 per pack) give you a head start on half-square triangle designs without cutting.

Scrap Bags & Wool Scrap Bags
For the adventurous quilter, scrap bags contain a mix of strips or small pieces—perfect for improv piecing or building up your stash in a more budget-friendly way.

Why Pre-Cuts Help Break Fabric Addiction

Pre-cuts save beginners from the overwhelm of the fabric aisle. Instead of buying yard after yard “just in case,” you get exactly what you need in a coordinated bundle. They’re:

• Budget-friendly – You spend less per project.

• Beginner-friendly – Pieces are ready to sew, no cutting stress.

• Coordinated – Fabrics already match, so your project comes together beautifully.

• Space-saving – No need to store giant piles of fabric you may never use.

Fabric addiction is real, but it doesn’t have to derail your quilting journey. By starting with pre-cuts, you’ll learn piecing skills, finish projects faster, and build the confidence to branch out into yardage later.

If you’re ready to start quilting without being buried under fabric, stop by Pisgah Needleworks in downtown Elkin or visit our online shop. We’ll help you pick the perfect pre-cut pack for your next project.