Most of our cotton fabrics measure 112/114cm wide (from selvedge to selvedge).
Fat quarter
For a
fat quarter, we take a metre of fabric and cut it into 4 equal pieces. Each piece measures approx. 50cm x 56/57cm and you would choose a fat quarter if you wanted to cut out larger pieces of fabric for use in patchwork, appliqué or for making cushion covers.
Long quarter
A regular quarter of fabric, or
long quarter measures 25cm x 112/114cm (the width of the fabric from selvedge to selvedge). Long quarters of fabric are useful for strip piecing (when long strips of fabric are sewn together and cut into segments).
Selvedge is the term for the self-finished edges of fabric. The selvedges keep the fabric from unraveling or fraying.