I did the Quilt Minnesota this year and found it to be dificult. With no plan I feel as if I ended up with too many random purchases. I can't afford to purchase fabric for an entire quilt at every shop so I purchased what I liked and now I need to shop for fabrics to coordinate. I recently did my own "hop" when I drove back from vacation and stopped at several shops in northern MN. Again I bought with no plan and feel like I over spent. I already have a fairly big stash and can't really afford to buy without a plan. Last year I decided I needed FQ of dark blues so I came home feeling like I had done well. Does anyone have a plan for these or do you just buy anything and everything you like?
I did pick up a Christmas panel and a variety of Christmas fabrics to use in projects.

I also did the Quilt Minnesota shop hop. I looked at projects I wanted to make and made a plan. I also did purchase some random pieces I did not plan on, but that was only because I had not seen that material anywhere else. I mainly plan so I can make my budget really stretch. I do love this shop hop. My SIL is from MN so she planned a path for us to follow and that helped a lot. We finished two sections and I stayed within my self imposed allotment (smile). I do love that organized MN shop hop.

I am doing the Texas Shop Hop in September. I'm thinking my goal is to buy only red fabric (my sister has been requesting an all red quilt for years). One piece of red from each shop...seems so simple. Wish me luck!

The best advice I've gotten for this (from a veteran hopper, she does 16 in one weekend) is to go with a list of things you're looking for. For example she was looking for a solid yellow that matched a homespun focus fabric. Another friend that went with her was looking for fabric with ladybugs on it. They helped eachother out, didn't spend nearly as much as they could have, and it became a kind of treasure hunt.

I use the "treasure hunt" method. I think about something I don't have much of and look for that. One time it was bright yellow and orange fabrics to make fish for my bathroom. Another time it was bright aqua for a baby quilt. This way I buy only things that I have a purpose for and don't end up with a lot of misfits, compulsive purchases and empty checkbook or full charge card.

Every so often I might give in if it's something I haven't seen before or can think of a project for it, but not very often.

I used to just go and buy ... then one time I saw a lady with FQs in a box, pattern in hand ... and scoping out the fabric at a store, for that pattern.

From then on, I thought, this makes sense!! So now, I start a list in advance and know what I'm looking for. It may be all one project? or it may be odds and ends of supplies that I want/need and haven't found?

Of course, the shops want you to purchase, though they know that realistically not everyone will. Please don't feel that you MUST!!

This summer for the Ontario Yours to Discover, I went with a mission of the 4B's ... Borders, Bindings, Backings and Battings ... as an education goal. It also was a great discussion point when I was at the shops and I saw and learned things I wouldn't have, if I had not mentioned it to them.

And yes ........ I do make those spontaneous purchases!! Though I have found that I am doing less of that, now that I have a 'mission' planned before I head out.

I don't have a lot of fabric stores in my area, but I tend to purchase with a quilt or two in mind. Usually I have 2-3 quilt ideas floating around in my head, so I try to stick within buying for those. If a fabric calls out to you though, I can understand getting it, because it will get used.