Precut Fabric Chart: Charm Packs, Layer Cakes, Jelly Rolls and Fat Quarters
A charm pack is 42 squares of 5 inches, a layer cake is 42 squares of 10 inches, a jelly roll is 40 strips of 2 1/2 inches by the width of fabric, and a fat quarter is about 18 x 21 inches. A layer cake and a jelly roll each hold about 2.78 yards of fabric by area.
Precuts bundle a whole fabric collection into matching pieces. The names are playful, but the sizes are consistent enough to plan a quilt around. Always check the label, because counts vary by manufacturer and some pieces are pinked.
What sizes are quilting precuts?
| Precut | Also called | Piece size (in) | Pieces | Sq in | Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Charm Pack | Moda Candy, 2 1/2 in squares | 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 | 42 | 262.5 | 0.17 |
| Charm Pack | Charm squares, 5 in stackers, 5 Karat Crystals (Hoffman) | 5 x 5 | 42 | 1,050 | 0.69 |
| Layer Cake | 10 in stackers, 10 in squares | 10 x 10 | 42 | 4,200 | 2.78 |
| Jelly Roll | Strip roll, Rolie Polie (Riley Blake), Bali Pop (Hoffman), Design Roll, Roll Up | 2 1/2 x 42 | 40 | 4,200 | 2.78 |
| Honey Bun | 1 1/2 in strip roll | 1 1/2 x 42 | 40 | 2,520 | 1.67 |
| Dessert Roll | 5 in strip roll | 5 x 42 | 20 | 4,200 | 2.78 |
| Turnover | 6 in half-square triangles | 6 x 6 | 80 | 1,440 | 0.95 |
| Fat Quarter | FQ | 18 x 21 | 1 | 378 | 0.25 |
| Fat Eighth | F8 | 9 x 21 | 1 | 189 | 0.125 |
| Half Yard Cut | 18 x 44 | 1 | 792 | 0.5 |
Not in the chart: Jolly Bar (Fat Quarter Shop exclusive; piece count not confirmed.)
How many precuts do you need for a quilt?
Counts assume the whole top is simple patchwork from one precut type, sewn with 1/4 inch seams. Real patterns usually add background fabric, so treat these as upper limits.
| Precut | Coverage per pack (sq in) | Baby 40 x 40 | Throw 50 x 65 | Queen 90 x 95 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Charm Pack | 168 | 10 | 20 | 51 |
| Charm Pack | 851 | 2 | 4 | 11 |
| Layer Cake | 3,791 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Jelly Roll | 3,200 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Honey Bun | 1,600 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| Dessert Roll | 3,600 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Turnover | 1,000 | 2 | 4 | 9 |
| Fat Quarter | 243 | 7 | 14 | 36 |
| Fat Eighth | 81 | 20 | 41 | 106 |
| Half Yard Cut | 486 | 4 | 7 | 18 |
Tools that make precuts sing
Moda Bella Solids White Layer Cake
$39.99A white Bella Solids layer cake to pair with printed precuts.
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Bloc Loc Half-Square Triangle Ruler Set #2
$72.75Trim half square triangles cut from charm squares and layer cakes to exact size.
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Olfa 17 x 17 Rotating Cutting Mat RM-17S
$100.98A rotating mat for trimming precut units on every side.
Check pricePrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a charm pack?
A charm pack holds 42 squares of 5 x 5 inches, about 1,050 square inches or 0.69 yard in total. Moda charm packs contain 40 to 42 squares. Charm squares finish at 4 1/2 inches when sewn with 1/4 inch seams.
How big is a layer cake?
A layer cake is 42 squares of 10 x 10 inches, about 4,200 square inches, which equals roughly 2.78 yards. Each square can be cut into four charm squares or 16 mini charms, which makes layer cakes the most flexible square precut.
How many strips are in a jelly roll?
A jelly roll usually has 40 strips cut 2 1/2 inches wide from selvage to selvage, about 42 to 44 inches long. Typically 40 strips cut selvage to selvage; other brands vary in count. The strips are ready for binding, sashing, strip-pieced blocks and jelly roll race quilts.
How big is a fat quarter?
A fat quarter is a half yard cut in half at the fold, about 18 x 21 inches. Half yard cut in half at the fold: about 18 x 21 to 18 x 22 depending on fabric width. It holds the same area as a regular quarter yard but in a squarer shape, so it cuts into bigger pieces such as 5 inch squares and 10 inch squares.
How many precuts do I need for a throw quilt?
As simple patchwork, a throw top of about 50 x 65 inches needs roughly 4 charm packs, 1 layer cakes or 2 jelly rolls. Adding background fabric, sashing or borders reduces the count a lot, which is how most precut patterns work.
How we research: we compare manufacturer specifications, owner manuals, published standards and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We do not test products in person, and this is researched guidance, not professional advice. Follow your machine manual and pattern, and take care with rotary cutters, hot irons and needles. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.