Understanding Precut Fabric: Jelly Rolls, Charm Packs & More

If you’re a new quilter, you’ve probably heard people gush about precuts. Maybe you’ve seen a jelly roll in the fabric aisle and thought, “Why are these strips rolled up like cinnamon buns?” Or maybe you’ve clicked on a quilt tutorial that starts with “Grab a charm pack…” and felt completely lost.

Good news: You’re not alone—and you’re in the right place!

This guide is your friendly, no-stress introduction to precut quilting fabrics. We’ll explore what they are, the different types, and how they can save you time and take the guesswork out of fabric coordination. Plus, I’ll share some practical tips for using and storing them so you feel confident diving into your next project.

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What are Precut Fabrics?

Precuts are bundles of fabric that are cut to specific sizes before they reach your sewing room. They usually come from a single fabric collection, which means all the pieces are designed to go together. This makes color matching a breeze—no more standing in the store trying to coordinate fabrics!

Manufacturers cut these bundles in standard sizes (like 2.5" strips or 5" squares) and package them in sets, typically with 40–42 pieces. That’s enough for a small quilt when paired with background fabric and a perfect way to try out a full fabric line without buying yards of each print. Because they're pre-measured and ready to go, precuts eliminate many of the common stumbling blocks that slow down new quilters.

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Why Use Precuts?

Precuts offer several advantages for quilters of all experience levels, but they’re especially great for beginners. Here are a few reasons why precuts are so popular:

• Time-Saving: There’s no need to measure and cut fabric into precise shapes. You can simply unwrap the bundle and get right to sewing.

• Color-Coordinated Collections: Every piece in a precut bundle is designed to work together. This takes the guesswork out of matching tones or prints and allows you to focus on design and technique instead.

• Less Fabric Waste: Since you're getting smaller cuts in usable quantities, you avoid the need to buy extra yardage that might never get used. That makes them budget-friendly and ideal for smaller spaces where storage is limited.

• Beginner-Friendly: Uniform sizes mean fewer mistakes and easier assembly -- perfect if you're just getting the hang of quilting.

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The Most Popular Types of Precuts

Photo by The Quilted Lab

Below are the five most common precuts you'll see, with their dimensions and bundle sizes.

Charm Packs

• Size: 5" x 5" squares

• Pieces per pack: Usually 42

Charm packs are perfect for simple quilt blocks such as the Four-Patch, Rail-Fence, Nine-Patch, or simply sewing them together in rows! Add some sashing or a border and voilà—a quilt top!

Jelly Rolls

• Size: 2.5" x WOF (Width of Fabric, usually 42")

• Pieces per roll: Usually 40 strips

These strips are ideal for fast piecing. You can sew them into beginner-friendly strip quilts, rail fence patterns, or log cabin blocks. They are also ideally suited for scrappy borders, sashing, or binding.

Layer Cakes

• Size: 10" x 10" squares

• Pieces per pack: Usually 42

Layer cakes offer a lot of fabric real estate. You can use them whole or cut them down into smaller patches. These perfect 10" squares are great for half-square triangles (HSTs), disappearing nine-patch blocks, and pinwheel blocks, and they can even be used as a super simple and quick patchwork quilt.

Fat Quarters

• Size: 18" x 22"

• Pieces per bundle: Typically anywhere from 8 to 40 pieces

A fat quarter is a 1/2 yard of fabric that has been cut in half widthwise to create a "fat" rectangular piece of fabric instead of a long strip. It's big enough for cutting most quilt pieces and great for fussy cutting prints with large motifs. Best of all, nearly all other pre-cut sizes can be cut from one fat quarter.

Mini Charm Packs

• Size: 2.5" x 2.5"

• Pieces per pack: Usually 42

These tiny squares are great for Four-Patch, Nine-Patch, and Sixteen-Patch blocks. They also make excellent accents in larger quilts.

Photo by The Quilted Lab

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Storing and Handling Precuts

Once you start collecting precuts, you'll want to keep them tidy and ready to use.

Storage Tips:

• Keep precuts flat to avoid creasing or distortion

• Use clear containers or drawer organizers and label by type or by size (e.g., 'Charm Packs' or '5" Squares')

• Organize according to designer, collection, color family, or size. Whatever speaks to your brain and your style and inspires your creativity -- there is no wrong answer.

Handling Tips:

• Pre-press your precuts gently with steam to flatten any wrinkles or curls

• Watch for pinked edges. Always measure from the outermost points for accuracy

• Use a lint roller to remove stray threads or excess lint from the manufacturer's cutting process.

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Final Thoughts

Precut fabrics are a great entry point for quilters of all levels -- but especially beginners. They simplify the decision-making process, reduce prep time, and give you a cohesive look with minimal effort. Plus, let's be honest -- they are just plain fun to collect.

So, next time you see a jelly roll or charm pack calling your name, go ahead and treat yourself. That's the start to a beautiful quilt (and maybe a new addiction).