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Tammy Nov 29, 2006

I am sorting out a large mohair order  I want to place and am wondering what you all recommend....do you prefer a fat 1/4 or 1/4 yard and why ?  Which gives the least wastage in fabric ?   I epoect to make bears 12" and under mostly.   I know this all depends on patterns size , shape etc.,  but any advice would be helpful.   Most of the mohair I've worked with so far has been bits and pieces I've bought from ebay etc.  and not  full size pieces so I need help. 

Thanks in advance.

Tracy Nov 29, 2006

Fat 1/4's definitely! It's much easier to lay out pattern pieces.....less waste I think too.   Have fun Tammy!  Ordering mohair must be one of my favorite activities.......I can lose myself in the process for hours!

Daphne Nov 29, 2006

I like fat quarters because the straight 1/4s never seem to be quite tall enough. I end up with a long strip across the bottom that just isn't quite big enough for a head side or sometimes even ears under the larger body pieces. I dunno... some how I end up with more waste. Could just be me.

I always order FAT QUARTERS!!!

fredbear Nov 29, 2006

When  had my patchwork shop we only sold  fat1/4 (pre cut fabric), with my bear making I buy larger pieces but would recommend you purchase mohair in a  fat 1/4.

Lynette

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorNov 29, 2006

Fat quarters for me, too.  I can get a biggie bear (about 20 inches) out of 1/3 yard strips but the 1/4 cuts, unless they're fat, just don't work well for me.

Marie_ Nov 29, 2006

Ditto to everyone ! Fat 1/4 definitely foe me. 
When I create 12" to 15" size bear, I must use Fat 1/4 but
if I'm creating 7"size bear, I can use non FAT 4/1 because
my  7"bear parts are small. however I still love to order FAT1/4!

Have fun with Mohair Shopping !!!
hugs
Marie

Delartful Bears Nov 29, 2006

Yep, I go for fat also - I haven't tried it the other way, but the shape is fantastic, so I would recomend a fat 1/4 also - less wastage I would imagine - even for smaller bears.

Oooh have fun!!!! I just placed my first order for Helmbold mohair, and can't wait to see what it's like.  I feel as if I'm betraying Schulte mohair though LOL   :crackup:

Danni

Laura Lynn Banner SponsorNov 29, 2006

LOL Danni!!!     :crackup:    You are not "betraying" Schulte!!!  I mostly use Schulte but sometimes use Hembold when I want a little something different!!

toadbriar Nov 29, 2006

what? we can order them fat?? how did I miss that? is it the same price? how do I request it?

little slow to catch on sometimes, me  :doh:

Tammy Nov 29, 2006

Thank you everyone for the input.  It is a great help.

Kim , I'm not sure how to order a fat 1/4 from Intercal.  I am getting mine from Edinburgh and there is a spot to click for fat 1/4 on the "finalize order page" , and it is the same price.  I won a shopping spree -50% of all fabric in one order and 20% off everything else.  Soooo, I just splurged for once in my life and ordered 24 pieces  !!!!!!!!
( After I submitted the order  I hyperventilated for a minute or 2 or 3 ...., but I'm over it now  !)  To quote my 10yr old daughter, " Sometimes you just gotta let loose ! "  I hope santa has a big sleigh to carry it in LOL   :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:

Dilu Nov 29, 2006

bring on the fats!!!  unless you can afford 1/2 yards....then its like haveing 2 fats.

You will have more leeway and manuverability with your pattern pieces ...especially if you want to change things around.

gollyhugs
dilu

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorNov 29, 2006

I think Intercal automatically cuts fat quarters, knowing that their customers make bears.  Or at least, that's how they come to me when I order 1/4 yard from Intercal!  I suppose you could request otherwise... ?  Just ask Johnna.  She's amazingly easy to work with. 

Does everybody know (including lurkers) what a fat quarter IS, vs. a "regular" 1/4 yard of mohair?

Usually, if you ask for 1/4 yard of fabric, the person at your local cutting counter will measure off 1/4 yard -- or NINE INCHES -- of fabric from the cut edge, and then cut your full-width piece like that.  It will be long and skinny.  Like this example, which shows a full yard of fabric divided into four, nine inch wide, 1/4 yard cuts:

With a FAT QUARTER cut, the cutter creates a HALF YARD cut of your fabric -- in other words, twice the width of a regular 1/4 yard, or EIGHTEEN INCHES -- and then cuts that half yard of fabric from the bolt.  There's an extra step involved:  From that point, the half yard is cut HORIZONTALLY at its center.  Thus creating a cut that has the same "area" as a 1/4 yard, but has different dimensions.  Instead of being really narrow and tall, like a "regular" quarter yard, a "fat quarter" is much "fatter," and more square-shaped.  Like this example, which shows a full yard divided into "fat quarters":

(Photos courtesy of this excellent website:  http://www.bearsandbedtime.com/faq/measurement.htm)

A fat quarter cut helps with pattern layout because sometimes -- maybe even USUALLY -- nine inches of fabric width just isn't enough for a layout where you have to take nap direction into account.

Just thought I'd offer that explanation for anyone reading this, feeling too embarrassed to ask, "What the heck are you people talking about?"

Stellajella Nov 29, 2006

Shelli, thanx for answering my question before I even axed it 
I was wondering, if you have overweight quarters and if you get them slim with mohair diets  :crackup:

Gaby