Precut Fabric Bundles 101: Names, Sizes & Uses

Hello, my quilty friends!

Let’s talk precut fabric bundles. You know the ones—those beautiful, color-coordinated collections of fabric that are basically the quilting equivalent of a cupcake display at a bakery. You walk by, your eyes lock, and suddenly… one (or three) is in your cart.

But if you’ve ever wondered what exactly makes a fat quarter different from a jelly roll, why charm packs are so darn charming, or what in the world a "honey bun" is—you’re in the right place. Here’s your quilty guide to all things precut—and why they’re totally worth the stash space.

Fat Quarters

Let’s start with the classic: the fat quarter. This little rectangle of joy measures approximately 18" x 22", making it a quarter-yard of fabric but in a more usable shape than your standard 9" x WOF (width of fabric) strip.

• Super versatile for patchwork and appliqué
• Great for fussy cutting
• Perfect size for small-to-medium quilt blocks

Jelly Rolls (2.5" Strips)

Ah, the jelly roll. These are 2.5" x WOF strips, rolled up into the most satisfying cinnamon-roll shape you’ve ever seen.

• Speeds up cutting for strip quilts, log cabin blocks, and borders
• Coordinated colors make scrappy patterns easy
• Fun for race quilts and strip-piecing projects

Charm Packs (5" Squares)

These 5" x 5" square bundles are literally charming. Precut, perfectly stacked, and ready to become half-square triangles, four-patches, or the cutest baby quilt ever.

• Great for beginner-friendly quilt tops
• Perfect size for trying out a fabric line
• Ideal for small projects like mug rugs, coasters, or pouches

Layer Cakes (10" Squares)

These 10" x 10" squares are basically big charm packs—and they pack a punch! Use them whole for bold blocks or chop them up for even more variety.

• More fabric = more options
• Showcases larger prints beautifully
• Ideal for modern, graphic quilt designs

Honey Buns (1½" Strips)

These sweet 1½" × WOF strips are the skinny cousins of jelly rolls—ideal for fine details, tiny strip sets, and crisp borders without the bulk. Roll them out for fast piecing or weave them into intricate patterns for extra texture.

• Endless strip combos, zero cutting stress
• Keeps seams slim for smoother quilting
• Made for mini quilts, log cabins, and playful sashings

Precut Names: The Quirky Quilt Shop Dictionary

Most precuts—like fat quarters and fat eighths—are pretty consistent across fabric companies, so no surprises there. But when it comes to strips and squares, things can get a little... creative. Different brands have their own fun (and sometimes confusing) names for the same sizes. So here’s a handy cheat sheet to help you know what’s what:

Standard Name	Moda	Robert Kaufman	Riley Blake
2.5" Strips	Jelly Roll	Roll-Up	Rolie Polie
5" Squares	Charm Pack	Charm Square	5" Stacker
10" Squares	Layer Cake	Ten Square	10" Stacker
1.5" Strips	Honey Bun	Skinny Strip	N/A
2.5" Squares	Mini Charm	N/A	N/A

It’s like a quilty language all its own. But now you can confidently walk into any quilt shop and decode what you’re seeing. Nice, right?

So there you have it—a tour of the precut playground and a decoder ring for all the names. Whether you’re a fat quarter loyalist or a jelly roll junkie, there’s no wrong way to fall in love with precuts.

Ready to bundle up?
👉 Browse our Fabric Bundles

Happy making,

🩵 Holly