Precuts

These names describe the cut size: Charm packs contain 5-inch squares, typically 42 pieces from a single fabric collection. Jelly rolls are 2.5-inch strips cut selvage-to-selvage, usually 40 strips rolled together. Layer cakes are typically 10-inch squares, yielding 42 pieces. Each precut type is compatible with specific quilt patterns designed for those dimensions. The names were originally trademarked by Moda Fabrics, though many manufacturers use similar terms or variations, such as "charm squares" or "strip rolls."

Standard precut quantities: Charm pack (5" squares) with 42 pieces equals roughly 1.25 yards when reassembled. Jelly roll (2.5" strips) with 40 strips equals approximately 2.75 yards. Layer cake (10" squares) with 42 pieces equals roughly 3.25 yards. Fat quarter bundle varies by bundle; each fat quarter is 18" x 22" (half of a half yard). These yardage equivalents help when substituting precuts for traditional yardage in patterns not specifically designed for precuts.

Precuts save cutting time and guarantee perfectly sized pieces from the start. You get coordinated fabrics from a single collection, so colors and prints work together without guesswork. For quilters who find cutting tedious or have limited workspace, precuts remove that step entirely. They're also a low-commitment way to sample a collection you're curious about. One jelly roll or charm pack gives you a taste of many prints without buying yards of each.

Many quilt patterns are designed specifically for precuts. Jelly roll quilts, such as "jelly roll race" patterns, stitch strips together quickly for fast results. Charm pack patterns create scrappy quilts with variety in every block. Layer cakes work beautifully for larger-block designs and modern quilts. Beyond quilts, precuts make great tote bags, placemats, table runners, and patchwork pillows. Look for patterns that specify the precut size, or search "jelly roll quilt pattern" or "charm pack project" for hundreds of options.