How to Use the Sizzix the Fat Quarter Wrap Die

Do you have a collection of fat quarters stashed away somewhere? Well in my studio, they used to be just stashed away, but now they are starting to leak out of their containers. Here’s a great way to organize them.

I have a running joke here in the studio that fat quarters don’t count as fabric yardage, so I don’t have to feel guilty about buying them. That gave me permission to just pop into the local quilt shop every once in a while and buy a stack of whichever ones caught my eye. I’m a polka dot fanatic (and a stripe fanatic) so my usual FQ purchases are of anything with dots or stripes on them.

(Oh, as an aside… I’m NOT blogging every day, but the every other day starts today and not yesterday, k? I promise to be quiet tomorrow.)

So I’ve been collecting fat quarters for as long as I can remember, and the poor dears are just stuffed into a plastic bin, never to be seen or heard from, unless I open the bin to add a few more.

Fast forward to Fall Market, when I popped into the Sizzix booth and saw a new line of dies from Jo Packham (yup, THAT Jo, of Where Women Create). Among those new dies was something called a Fat Quarter Wrap die.  I was intrigued. I also ordered a few for my online store if you’d like one too.

Die Cutting Machine Compatibility:

• Sizzix Big Shot Pro
• Sizzix fabi, Big Shot, Big Kick, Vagabond
• AccuQuilt Studio, with adapter by AccuCut
• AccuCut GrandeMARK/II, with adapter by AccuCut

Now, to use this die effectively, you really want to cut from something sturdy (not to mention acid free.) I know the Sizzix dies can cut chipboard, so I opted to purchase that instead of using manilla folders or cardboard that I had on hand. (If you’d like to get the chipboard that I got, it’s on Amazon here – this is an Affiliate link so I’ll receive a small commission if you use it.)

When you cut the chipboard, you can get two wraps per 8-1/2″ x 11″ sheet, so from each of those chipboard packs you can get 50 wraps. If you are cutting on a fabi (or any of those 6″ machines), you’ll have to cut the chipboard in half before you use it.

Once you’ve got the wrap cut out, you’re ready to add your fat quarters! Fold the fat quarter into fourths across the 18″ length (so it is approximately 4-1/2″ x 21″). Insert the edge of the fat quarter under the flap so that it is even with the top edge.

Begin wrapping the fabric around the chipboard. This chipboard is white only on one side – the double white stuff is really expensive!

Once you’ve finished wrapping, the fat quarter should be even with the trailing edge of the wrap. If it isn’t, congratulate yourself on getting a little bit extra fabric! You can tuck it under, or re-wrap the fabric so the edge doesn’t peek out.

The fat quarter wrap is sizes to fit in photo boxes, so you can get a bunch of those or find another container to fit them in.

Now I can organize my dots and stripes and put them on display, instead of stuffing them into a hideaway bin. They look so pretty lined up so neatly like this!

If you want to share this on Pinterest (or save this tutorial quickly) here’s a pinnable image:

Do you collect fat quarters like I do? What’s your favorite pattern or color to collect?