Sewing Fabric Shopping Guide: Fat Quarters, Yardage, or Waterproof Neoprene

Quick Take

When you're shopping for sewing fabric, the first decision is the form the fabric comes in: a precut fat quarter for a small project, continuous yardage for something larger, or a technical material with insulating and moisture-resistant properties. The four options here span $5.99 to $153.99, and each one is built for a different sewing job. The two CREATE IT fat quarters add bold prints to cotton crafting, the SINGER fabric supplies cotton yardage, and the ThreadNest neoprene brings a flexible, foam-backed layer for specialty projects.

Price Comparison

The table below shows the listed prices for all four fabrics.

Decision Matrix

Product Notes

SINGER 100% Cotton Quilt and Craft Fabric

This cotton is 44 inches wide and sold cut by the yard, so it suits projects where you don't want to piece multiple fat quarters together. The "Singer Dress Forms" colorway prints dress forms across the 100% ringspun fabric, making it more of a novelty print than a solid neutral. Keep in mind that the yardage is ordered in full-yard increments, which is practical for larger pieces but less ideal for a single small block. If you're making a quilt back, a gathered curtain, or any project where a continuous sheet matters, the wide roll and yard-based ordering give you a straightforward path.

CREATE IT Peace Sign Fat Quarter

This 18x21 fat quarter is 100% cotton and printed with multicolor campers and peace signs on a pink background. It's a ready-to-sew size for quilting blocks, craft bags, or small practice pieces. Because the purchase is for one fat quarter with a bold pattern, it works best when you want a single accent panel rather than broad coverage for a large project. If you're testing a new pattern or making a one-off accessory, this precut lets you skip measuring and go straight to cutting. The pink-and-camper theme is specific, so think about whether that print fits the palette of your finished piece.

CREATE IT Checkered Fat Quarter

If you want a black-and-white plaid checkerboard for a patchwork project, this 18x21 fat quarter delivers that crisp contrast in 100% cotton. Like its peace-sign counterpart, it's a single precut piece, so it's a good option for adding a graphic square to a quilt or making a small craft item. The limitation is the same: it's not enough fabric for a large garment or yardage-heavy project. For a project where you need a strong geometric accent rather than a full roll of fabric, this is the cut to set aside. Because the checkerboard is neutral, it pairs easily with other colors in a scrappy quilt.

ThreadNest 2mm Waterproof Neoprene

This 2mm neoprene fabric has laminated nylon or polyester on both sides and a closed-cell rubber foam core, so it provides a soft stretch with waterproof and insulating qualities. Possible uses include marine covers, medical braces, mouse pads, gaming table mats, bottle koozies, and dog harnesses; the colorways are navy blue and black. The main caveat is that it's a specialty material rather than a general-purpose cotton, and the listed price is well above the other three options. If your sewing plan involves padding, insulation, or water-resistant gear, this is the one that brings something the other fabrics can't. It's also worth noting that the foam may show some creasing from packaging, so inspect the sheet when you lay out your pattern.

Final Recommendations by Use Case

• For a cheerful cotton accent piece, the CREATE IT Peace Sign Fat Quarter is the quickest match.
• For black-and-white contrast in patchwork, the CREATE IT Checkered Fat Quarter gives you a crisp panel.
• For continuous cotton yardage, the SINGER 100% Cotton Quilt and Craft Fabric fits the bill.
• For foam-backed material for gear or DIY projects, the ThreadNest 2mm Neoprene is the option to consider.