When you are shopping and see a piece of fabric that you just have to have, what is the yardage you buy? Do you buy companion pieces to go with it, or do that at a later date? I am now finding that I don't have enough of something to make a quilt and of course bought the piece a long time ago. I usually buy one yard pieces and now am thnking I should up that to two yards. Any thoughts?

Thanks for any imput and........Happy Mother's Day to all!!!

If it's something that I absolutely love....I will buy at least 4 or 5 yards of it. If I am buying to make a certain quilt, I usually buy a yard more than what the directions call for. Especially if I am doing a fat quarter quilt, I will double the amount in case I like how it comes out, that way I can make another.
I have bought fabric that I liked, got home and decided I wanted more, only to go back to the store to see that they are sold out and aren't getting anymore.
Hence, why I buy MUCH more than I actually need.
If it's a GREAT sale that is going on, I will buy the bolt, of course, that is IF I can afford it. Since I am not working right now, I am given an allotment each month for fabric buying. Most of the time I will go over, but we won't tell hubby ;)
I will buy companion pieces if I like them, but most of the time I don't. Just depends on the mood I'm in, I guess......

I do the same thing. If it's something I really like, I will usually buy whatever is left on the bolt. They LOVE me at JoAnns, cause I do that a lot.

Thanks so much all for your replies. Guess I will just start buying more at a time!

Generally I will buy a yard or yard and a 1/2. Occasionally 2 yards.
Rarely do I buy more than that unless I plan on using it for the backing
or if I absolutely know what I'm going to use it for. I think I would do better if I bought a yard and 1/2 of most since I've run out more than a couple times. :oops:

I normally buy 4-10 yards depending on the availability. Plus I never pay more than 1.00 a yard at Walmart. They have great fabrics for 1.00 a yard here in VA.

I purchase either whatever is left or I purchase by the bolt from a supplier that I have for wholesale. For me, I sell some of my work and people are always looking at what I have as well as people who do get something from me or see something I have made for our family will want the same fabric in thoer item, so to make sure that I will not be stuck iwth not being able to get anymore of the same fabric I just purcahse by the bolt to ensure that I have enough for a few projects.

I started out like most people, purchasing 1 or 2 yards at a time but as time went on and I become more addicted I just decided to get the entire bolt!

Wow! I only get 1/2 yard and I have leftovers when I'm done my project. For a backing I tend to buy more than I think I'll need just in case but I had a lot of leftover yardage this last project and I'm running out of storage space. I mostly make wall hangings though. No king size quilts for me!

I usually just buy 1/2 meters or fat 1/4s, price being the limiting factor here. Most of my quilts are are scrap or semi scrap, I'll use colour families or themes to co-ordinate a quilt. Then maybe buy a bigger piece I need to finish off ie. sashings, binding etc. You don't see so many fully co-ordinated quilts over here, You don't see so many charity or everyday quilts made either, which is a shame but understandable. You do see quite a bit of scrap and minature work. I like doing minatures or small quilts because it allows me to try a pattern or style I like without having to invest hundreds in fabric

Lucky you. I'm glad my local Walmart still sells fabric but all the fabric that they have for $1/yd says "fabric of unknown origin" The fabric that they sell for $2/yd is pretty good and their top of the line fabric is $3.97/yd. Great prices but usually they can't get the same fabric again so you have to buy as much as you could possibly use. The only bolt I've bought is muslin with a 50% off coupon from JoAnn's

I definately miss the fabric at Walmart, they are just around the corner from me and open 24 hours. I could feed my "fabric habit" whenever I wanted.

I will usually only buy fabric on impulse if it is on sale. There had been some floral fabric in a store that I had admired for some time but it was $19.98 a yard. One day I wandered in and it was 75% off. I bought 8 yards and have since matched it up with several other fabrics for a quilt I started last fall.

Holy Mackeral Batman!!
$19.98/yard? Did it have gold in it and did it do housework?

For $19.98 a yard it certainly ought to do something!! Maybe sew itself. The most I've paid is 10.98 and it is part of a UFO for my daughter. Hope I finish it some day!!

If I truly love it -3yards
On sale- As much as I can afford
borders-2 yards
Accent Color -1/2 to 1 yard

according to my kids and husband, TOO much, until they see the finished quilts, eventually finished quilts.

Hi I live in Canada and fabric is more expensive there. It was actually $19.98 a meter which is 39 inches instead of 36. I got it at $4.99 a meter which is a good price even by Joann standards. It is a very vibrant floral pattern with lots of colours to coordinate and contrast with and it sews up very well. The dark aqua background did not run when I preshrunk it and I think I got a good deal on it. I live in a border city with the States and I do go to the Joann store sometimes so I can compare prices and values. Sometimes Joann's just doesn't have what I want. Sunflower

I usually buy 1 yard cuts. Unless I am buying for something specific of course. If I am getting a really good deal I will try to buy atleast 4 yards or the end of the bolt.

if its a single piece I LOVE...I buy 3 yards....figure I can find sometime in my stash or buy 'go with' fabrics at a later date.

If has co ordinates that I like as well, I buy at least 1.5

if its a single piece I LOVE...I buy 3 yards....figure I can find sometime in my stash or buy 'go with' fabrics at a later date.

If has co ordinates that I like as well, I buy at least 1 1/2 yards of each (figuring I may find something to go in my stash),

We have a local fabric store that is a full block big (honest!!) and they have a 40% off sale about every 6 weeks....I try to buy TOT/blenders in 2 1/2 increments if I have the funds then.

I keep what I dont use for one project for other projects or scrappy quilts

Fabric is expensive here (about $14 a metre), so I wait unless I really need it :wink: or will use it for a certain project or see it's going out of stock . We have a 6" square trade at our guild and I usually buy 2 metres for that locally then end up with at least 1m for my stash. Otherwise I buy single metres/yards and fat quarters on ebay and through online shops (less expensive).
I have purchased A LOT (3m+ or the bolt ) of a fabric I love at our local shops - but only on sale.

When I first started quilting, I was buying 1 yard (listened to Alex Anderson about stashes). I was soooo pleased with myself that I had this large stash. Then, every project that I wanted to do called for 4-6 yards of one color :cry: Well, then I had to go out and buy more material :roll: so that I could make my project. (Okay, I admit it wasn't like going to the dentist going to the fabric store, however......)

Now, I just try to get at least 4 yards of any material that I really like so that when I go to make a quilt (usually queen or double), I have enough material.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, build your stash with what you normally need for a project. That way you aren't disappointed that you don't have enough of that special fabric that would look just right with that special pattern that you found.

I usually stick to sales fabric or going out of business. I usually buy 1-2 yards and if I think something will make a good backing I buy 5-6 yards. Had a bolt of fabric once from my sister and never could find a use for it. gave it to someone who could use it. I do buy fat quarters if I like the material. Hard time getting out of a fabric store without pickiing up something. We have so many nice fabric stores around here. Each one has a different feel. Love them all.

Wow. I haven't spent that much for a yard of fabric but I do prefer the quilt shops, so I do spend a little more for my treats. I tend to buy 1/4-1/2 yard of fabric but if I really fall for it, I have no problem ordering 5 yards.

If I see something I really like and the price isn't terrible (19.98 a yard) I buy 4 or 5 yards. If it's too expensive I wait for it to go on sale. I learned my lesson when I bought 3 yards of a material I fell in love with and when I found the perfect quilt pattern for it I needed 4 yards. Of course it was sold out so I had to punt and change the pattern. Oh well, we live and learn.

Does anyone have the same problem that I do, all colors and sizes of fabric in my stash but nothing enough to make a quilt

I buy small bits unless I have a known project in mind. Its about $10-12 yrd so I wait til I KNOW I am making something .. currently I have a bunch of stash but not much quilting fabric. Waiting for the perfect pattern I suppose.

I buy 5-8 yards,usually lean toward 8 Yd.s. If I am making a scrappy I have remants and leftover pieces I use for those. I usually buy for matchy matchy and want to have enough for main pieces and I usually buy for background and backings too. White and off white I may buy 10 yd.s, if there is enough on the bolt. I hate to plan a certain quilt and find I don't have enough or don't have enough colors to go with it.

I used to. When I first started quilting, I would get a quarter. I have lots of variety but not much of any one thing. At least that is how it was up until last year. I started getting two yards. I am a much happier quilter now.

For backing I buy at least 7 yards. Most other fabrics I buy 3 yards of something I like. I buy 1 yard if the fabric is so bright and showy it has to be for accent color. If I find a great sale then it's 5 yards of colors I know will be blenders/borders for other quilts.

I pretty much buy based on the size of quilts I generally make and what I think I'll use the fabric for. If I think it's going to be a great border fabric for a queen size quilt I'll get 3 yards. If I think it's going into the scrappy twin size quilts I make I'll get a FQ. If I'm going to use it for the backing of a queen I'll get 8 yards. Accents and go withs I generally get one or two yards.

Don't forget, just because the pattern calls for 4 yards of X color doesn't mean you have to use all one fabric. You could use two yards of two colors. Or one yard of 4 colors. Or 16 FQs for a real scrappy look.

If I think I'll use it for a border or backing, I'll get 3-4 yards. If I don't have anything particular in mind, I'll get 1/2-1 yd. If I'm buying for a particular pattern, I round up to the nearest 1/2 or yard. Just in case!

If it multi color that I can use in a border I buy at least 3yds. If it is on sale and may be used as a backing I may buy the entire bolt, have done that, got 3 backings out of it; otherwise at least 7 -8 yds. I really hate to buy backings at retail price. Neutrals I buy 1- 3 yards, I like to use more than one fabric for backgrounds so usually buy 1 yds unless on sale.

I cant' bring myself to buy backing at retail price either! I have learned to not pass up a great fabric sale when I can get fabric for backing.

Thank you Bellaboo, that makes a lot of sense.

I usually buy 3 to 6 yards of something if I really like it. Fat quarters just aren't enough. I have to have yardage. If I am buying for a certain pattern, I will buy the required amount but if I am adding to my stash.......which I do more often than I should..(blushing) I buy quite a bit because by the time I get around to using it, I want to make sure I have enough. :)

I usually will buy 2 yards if I love it, 1 yard if I just 'really like' it ;-) I have been know to buy the rest of the bolt a time or two though. It all depends on my mood and how much is in my wallet at the time. Believe it or not, I have never purchased a fat quarter...just too small for me. :roll: