Precut fabric
Precut Fabric Sizes: 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, and a fat quarter is a single piece of about 18 x 21 inches. A jelly roll and a layer cake each hold about 2 3/4 yards of fabric.
The table below compares every common precut by size, fabric content and how far it goes: a layer cake covers about 3,791 square inches of finished patchwork, enough for a 50 x 65 inch throw top, while a charm pack covers about 851.
| Precut | Piece size (in) | Pieces | Yards equivalent | Finished coverage (sq in) | Needed for a throw top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Charm Pack | 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 | 42 | 0.17 | 168 | 20 |
| Charm Pack | 5 x 5 | 42 | 0.69 | 851 | 4 |
| Layer Cake | 10 x 10 | 42 | 2.78 | 3,791 | 1 |
| Jelly Roll | 2 1/2 x 42 | 40 | 2.78 | 3,200 | 2 |
| Honey Bun | 1 1/2 x 42 | 40 | 1.67 | 1,600 | 3 |
| Dessert Roll | 5 x 42 | 20 | 2.78 | 3,600 | 1 |
| Turnover | 6 x 6 | 80 | 0.95 | 1,000 | 4 |
| Fat Quarter | 18 x 21 | 1 | 0.25 | 243 | 14 |
| Fat Eighth | 9 x 21 | 1 | 0.125 | 81 | 41 |
| Half Yard Cut | 18 x 44 | 1 | 0.5 | 486 | 7 |
Not listed: Jolly Bar, because a reliable piece count could not be confirmed.
Coverage figures are finished patchwork area with 1/4 inch seams. Use the precut fabric calculator for your own layout, or the precut fabric chart for the sizes at a glance.
Precuts only supply the quilt top. Check the finished size you are aiming for on the quilt size pages, see which grids the squares fall into on the quilt block size pages, then buy backing and binding separately. A precut is the usual starting point in how to make a quilt for beginners, because every piece is already cut square.
Frequently asked questions
How many charm packs do I need for a quilt?
A charm pack of 42 five inch squares covers about 851 square inches of finished patchwork, because each square finishes at 4 1/2 inches. A 50 x 65 inch throw top takes about 4 charm packs and a queen top about 11. Adding a background fabric, sashing or a border brings those counts down.
What is the difference between a charm pack and a layer cake?
Both hold 42 squares from the same fabric collection, but charm squares are 5 inches and layer cake squares are 10 inches. That makes a layer cake four times the fabric: about 2.78 yards against 0.69 of a yard, and 3,791 square inches of finished patchwork against 851.
How much fabric is in a jelly roll?
A jelly roll is 40 strips cut 2 1/2 inches wide across the full width of the fabric, about 4,200 square inches or 2.78 yards in total. Sewn side by side, each strip finishes 2 inches wide, which covers about 3,200 square inches. The same 2 1/2 inch width is the standard cut for quilt binding.
Can you make a whole quilt from one precut?
For small quilts, yes: a single layer cake covers about 3,791 square inches, enough for a 50 x 65 inch throw top at 1 pack. Bed quilts need more, about 3 layer cakes or 11 charm packs for a queen top, so most patterns stretch one precut with a solid background fabric, sashing and borders.
Researched from manufacturer specifications, owner manuals and verified owner reviews, not hands-on testing, and not professional advice. As an Amazon Associate, Cozy Stitchery earns from qualifying purchases.
