Cotton Fabric

how many 4" x 4" squares of fabric would i be able to cut from a yard of cotton fabric?

how many 4" x 4" squares of fabric would i be able to cut from a yard of cotton fabric that would be used for quilting?

The math is accurate on the other answers, but the reality is, the USABLE fabric width of a yard of cotton quilting fabric is typically 42", if you're lucky. You have to cut the selvages off, so even if the fabric says it's 44/45" wide, it isn't really. So figure 40" if you're cutting 4" squares.

A yard is 36", which is divisible by four. However, you don't usually get the entire 36" when you start cutting your pieces. First you have to square up the fabric, which means making sure the threads run straight before cutting. Some fabric is put on the bolt fairly accurately, but some, especially less expensive fabric, can be pretty wonky. I've lost as much as 6" because the fabric was so crooked. Generally, though, I'd just figure on losing an inch or two. This puts you down to the next number divisible by four, which is 32".

I think you can safely assume that you can get 8 strips from selvage to selvage, so 8 strips that are 40" long. There are ten 4" squares in each strip, so figure 80 squares.

Now, are you CUTTING your squares at 4", or are they FINISHING at 4" after you've sewn them together? If the finished squares are supposed to be 4", then you need to cut them at 4 1/2".

Missouri Cotton Fabric (By the Yard) $9.99 Please Note: Returns will not be accepted on any fabric since it is cut to order. All patterns have been licensed by the team / league and are for individual use only. Any other use of this fabric is prohibited. This 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and perfect for many uses. It is NOT suitable for children's sleepwear. Fabric measures 45" wide and is cut to your yard specification. If you want multiple continuous yards of this fabric, change the quantity in the shopping cart to the number of yards that you want.

Mississippi Cotton Fabric (By the Yard) $9.99 Please Note: Returns will not be accepted on any fabric since it is cut to order. All patterns have been licensed by the team / league and are for individual use only. Any other use of this fabric is prohibited. This 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and perfect for many uses. It is NOT suitable for children's sleepwear. Fabric measures 45" wide and is cut to your yard specification. If you want multiple continuous yards of this fabric, change the quantity in the shopping cart to the number of yards that you want.

Minnesota Cotton Fabric (By the Yard) $9.99 Please Note: Returns will not be accepted on any fabric since it is cut to order. All patterns have been licensed by the team / league and are for individual use only. Any other use of this fabric is prohibited. This 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and perfect for many uses. It is NOT suitable for children's sleepwear. Fabric measures 45" wide and is cut to your yard specification. If you want multiple continuous yards of this fabric, change the quantity in the shopping cart to the number of yards that you want.

Miami Cotton Fabric (By the Yard) $9.99 Please Note: Returns will not be accepted on any fabric since it is cut to order. All patterns have been licensed by the team / league and are for individual use only. Any other use of this fabric is prohibited. This 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and perfect for many uses. It is NOT suitable for children's sleepwear. Fabric measures 45" wide and is cut to your yard specification. If you want multiple continuous yards of this fabric, change the quantity in the shopping cart to the number of yards that you want.

Pitt Cotton Fabric (By the Yard) $9.99 Please Note: Returns will not be accepted on any fabric since it is cut to order. All patterns have been licensed by the team / league and are for individual use only. Any other use of this fabric is prohibited. This 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and perfect for many uses. It is NOT suitable for children's sleepwear. Fabric measures 45" wide and is cut to your yard specification. If you want multiple continuous yards of this fabric, change the quantity in the shopping cart to the number of yards that you want.

Oklahoma Cotton Fabric (By the Yard) $9.99 Please Note: Returns will not be accepted on any fabric since it is cut to order. All patterns have been licensed by the team / league and are for individual use only. Any other use of this fabric is prohibited. This 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and perfect for many uses. It is NOT suitable for children's sleepwear. Fabric measures 45" wide and is cut to your yard specification. If you want multiple continuous yards of this fabric, change the quantity in the shopping cart to the number of yards that you want.

Texas Cotton Fabric (By the Yard) $9.99 Please Note: Returns will not be accepted on any fabric since it is cut to order. All patterns have been licensed by the team / league and are for individual use only. Any other use of this fabric is prohibited. This 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and perfect for many uses. It is NOT suitable for children's sleepwear. Fabric measures 45" wide and is cut to your yard specification. If you want multiple continuous yards of this fabric, change the quantity in the shopping cart to the number of yards that you want.

Tennessee Cotton Fabric (By the Yard) $9.99 Please Note: Returns will not be accepted on any fabric since it is cut to order. All patterns have been licensed by the team / league and are for individual use only. Any other use of this fabric is prohibited. This 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and perfect for many uses. It is NOT suitable for children's sleepwear. Fabric measures 45" wide and is cut to your yard specification. If you want multiple continuous yards of this fabric, change the quantity in the shopping cart to the number of yards that you want.

Nebraska Cotton Fabric (By the Yard) $9.99 Please Note: Returns will not be accepted on any fabric since it is cut to order. All patterns have been licensed by the team / league and are for individual use only. Any other use of this fabric is prohibited. This 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and perfect for many uses. It is NOT suitable for children's sleepwear. Fabric measures 45" wide and is cut to your yard specification. If you want multiple continuous yards of this fabric, change the quantity in the shopping cart to the number of yards that you want.

Memphis Cotton Fabric (By the Yard) $9.99 Please Note: Returns will not be accepted on any fabric since it is cut to order. All patterns have been licensed by the team / league and are for individual use only. Any other use of this fabric is prohibited. This 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and perfect for many uses. It is NOT suitable for children's sleepwear. Fabric measures 45" wide and is cut to your yard specification. If you want multiple continuous yards of this fabric, change the quantity in the shopping cart to the number of yards that you want.

Georgia Cotton Fabric (By the Yard) $9.99 Please Note: Returns will not be accepted on any fabric since it is cut to order. All patterns have been licensed by the team / league and are for individual use only. Any other use of this fabric is prohibited. This 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and perfect for many uses. It is NOT suitable for children's sleepwear. Fabric measures 45" wide and is cut to your yard specification. If you want multiple continuous yards of this fabric, change the quantity in the shopping cart to the number of yards that you want.

Marshall Cotton Fabric (By the Yard) $9.99 Please Note: Returns will not be accepted on any fabric since it is cut to order. All patterns have been licensed by the team / league and are for individual use only. Any other use of this fabric is prohibited. This 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and perfect for many uses. It is NOT suitable for children's sleepwear. Fabric measures 45" wide and is cut to your yard specification. If you want multiple continuous yards of this fabric, change the quantity in the shopping cart to the number of yards that you want.

LSU Cotton Fabric (By the Yard) $9.99 Please Note: Returns will not be accepted on any fabric since it is cut to order. All patterns have been licensed by the team / league and are for individual use only. Any other use of this fabric is prohibited. This 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and perfect for many uses. It is NOT suitable for children's sleepwear. Fabric measures 45" wide and is cut to your yard specification. If you want multiple continuous yards of this fabric, change the quantity in the shopping cart to the number of yards that you want.

Michigan Cotton Fabric (By the Yard) $9.99 Please Note: Returns will not be accepted on any fabric since it is cut to order. All patterns have been licensed by the team / league and are for individual use only. Any other use of this fabric is prohibited. This 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and perfect for many uses. It is NOT suitable for children's sleepwear. Fabric measures 45" wide and is cut to your yard specification. If you want multiple continuous yards of this fabric, change the quantity in the shopping cart to the number of yards that you want.

Arizona Cotton Fabric (By the Yard) $9.99 Please Note: Returns will not be accepted on any fabric since it is cut to order. All patterns have been licensed by the team / league and are for individual use only. Any other use of this fabric is prohibited. This 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and perfect for many uses. It is NOT suitable for children's sleepwear. Fabric measures 45" wide and is cut to your yard specification. If you want multiple continuous yards of this fabric, change the quantity in the shopping cart to the number of yards that you want.

Louisville Cotton Fabric (By the Yard) $9.99 Please Note: Returns will not be accepted on any fabric since it is cut to order. All patterns have been licensed by the team / league and are for individual use only. Any other use of this fabric is prohibited. This 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and perfect for many uses. It is NOT suitable for children's sleepwear. Fabric measures 45" wide and is cut to your yard specification. If you want multiple continuous yards of this fabric, change the quantity in the shopping cart to the number of yards that you want.

Alabama Cotton Fabric (By the Yard) $9.99 Please Note: Returns will not be accepted on any fabric since it is cut to order. All patterns have been licensed by the team / league and are for individual use only. Any other use of this fabric is prohibited. This 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and perfect for many uses. It is NOT suitable for children's sleepwear. Fabric measures 45" wide and is cut to your yard specification. If you want multiple continuous yards of this fabric, change the quantity in the shopping cart to the number of yards that you want.

Purdue Cotton Fabric (By the Yard) $9.99 Please Note: Returns will not be accepted on any fabric since it is cut to order. All patterns have been licensed by the team / league and are for individual use only. Any other use of this fabric is prohibited. This 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and perfect for many uses. It is NOT suitable for children's sleepwear. Fabric measures 45" wide and is cut to your yard specification. If you want multiple continuous yards of this fabric, change the quantity in the shopping cart to the number of yards that you want.

Kentucky Cotton Fabric (By the Yard) $9.99 Please Note: Returns will not be accepted on any fabric since it is cut to order. All patterns have been licensed by the team / league and are for individual use only. Any other use of this fabric is prohibited. This 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and perfect for many uses. It is NOT suitable for children's sleepwear. Fabric measures 45" wide and is cut to your yard specification. If you want multiple continuous yards of this fabric, change the quantity in the shopping cart to the number of yards that you want.

Wisconsin Cotton Fabric (By the Yard) $9.99 Please Note: Returns will not be accepted on any fabric since it is cut to order. All patterns have been licensed by the team / league and are for individual use only. Any other use of this fabric is prohibited. This 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and perfect for many uses. It is NOT suitable for children's sleepwear. Fabric measures 45" wide and is cut to your yard specification. If you want multiple continuous yards of this fabric, change the quantity in the shopping cart to the number of yards that you want.

The difference of cotton fabric vs polyester on polo shirts

Curtains and Drapes Fabric - Have you Cottoned On?

There are a number of fabrics that are commonly used to make curtains and drapes. The fibres that are used to manufacture the material determine how well it will wear and wash and how well it will hang at your window or door. The yarns used to construct the fabric can be man-made or animal or vegetable in origin.

One of the most useful fabrics in the interior designer's resource toolbox is cotton. It is a vegetable fibre and in it's simplest form it is known as calico. This is a medium weight cotton that is unbleached and plain woven. It is relatively cheap and has a matt finish so it can be used extravagantly to create window treatments that are dramatic and strong. It should be noted, however, that cotton tends to shrink so it is well worth washing your cotton fabric before you make your curtains. Another natural and basic cotton material is muslin. This is a very fine and loosely woven form of cotton. Like calico it is relatively cheap and can be used extravagantly to create lavish and unusual decorative window dressings.

Gingham is another lightweight cotton fabric that is woven into a checked pattern using threads of two different colors. It has been a popular fabric in the kitchen for many years and is now moving from its traditional location into other areas of the home, the sitting room, the dining room and even the bedroom. Madras cotton can create a more sophisticated look. This fabric consists of checks woven from many different colors and is often employed as a counterpoint to patterned or plain materials.

Glazed cotton, also known as Chintz, has been popular for a very long time. It derives its name from Indian chintz prints that were finished with a glaze. It has a shiny, attractive finish that is suitable for curtains in any room. Chintz is constructed from a fairly lightweight cotton but it is woven tightly to ensure that it takes glazing and dyes very well. There are two different glazing standards, heavy and light each with their own distinct properties. The heavy glazing gives a crisp shiny effect whilst the lighter glazing gives a soft sheen.

Easy care cotton, as the name suggests, is easier to care for than standard cotton. It is cotton that has been given an easy-care polished finish. It is silky and soft to the touch and washes and drapes very well indeed. It is much easier to care for than other forms of cotton curtains and drapes.

Satin curtains are made from pure silk, which is relatively expensive. This led to the development of cotton satin which is a more practical and cheaper alternative to satin. It is closely woven and has a very soft sheen, not unlike silk surprisingly. It is hard wearing and available in different qualities and weights. A heavy version will make fantastic curtains that will look elegant and sophisticated in any suitable room.

Whichever form of cotton you decide to use for your curtains and drapes it will not let you down.

About the Author

Karen Hughes is an interior decor consultant, get further curtain and drapes ideas at
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