I don't have a stash of fabric. Right now I have to have a project before purchasing fabric. I see some beautiful fabrics but I don't buy them because I don't have a project in mind.
If you don't have a project in mind and you see fabric you just can't live without what is the general rule for how much to purchase.
Would some of you share your fabric purchasing practices with me.

I've been buying a yard of fabric of each that I find that I like. That way I will (probably) have enough for a project of mine and have a FQ (or 2) left over for those fun swaps!!

For the most part I just buy a yard, cause I like to mix up my fabrics for a scrappy look, but those ones that shout at me I buy at least 3 yrds, The ones that scream at me I will buy 4 or 5 cause I just might use it in more than one project. Take into consideration the ones that look like good border fabric and buy accordingly.

Where are you, it just says middle of Oklahoma? I am west of Enid.

I am in agreement with the other but if it calls and is on sale.......I buy A Lot................lol :roll: :roll: 8) :P :P :shock: :D

I am different than everyone else. I like to have LOTS of different fabrics, so if I have no idea what I will ever use it for but I like it anyway, I just buy a 1/2 yard. That way I have money left to buy another 1/2 yard of something else that catches my eye. :D My stash is so big now that I am on a fabric buying moratorium. I need to use up (or share) some of what I have before I buy more.

When I first started quilting my instructor gave us this guideline:

If it's really shouting at you and you love, love, love it - buy 3 metres.

If you love it and think you'd like to make something out of it someday - buy 2 metres.

If you like it and just kinda think you may use it - buy 1 metre.

If it's just you're in the store and can't leave without buying something - buy a FQ.

Here, the fabric I buy costs around $20 per metre so buying 3 metres would be a substantial investment.

If it looks like backing fabric, about 8 yards.
If it looks like background fabric, about 5 yards
If it looks like border fabric, about 3 yards
If it's just a fun fabric that appeals to me, between 1 and 3 yards.

mgshaw

I am in Chickasha 50 mi southwest of Oklahoma City
I notice your user name has Shaw in it. Is this a last name? Just curious because that is my maiden name.

You mean we're supposed to have a project in mind?LOL. If I like it and the price and I figure I can sneak it in, I get it.

I usually buy 2 yards of whatever - along with maybe one or two other pieces that "go"... if not, then just the two yards. In the case of the swirl that really (really) shouted at me, I got three yards... which I'm glad I did - made a huge quilt.

When Hancock had the batiks half price I got one yard of a whoooooole bunch of them - those are so cool for fans and plates :shock:
I have lots of batiks and brights 8)

I'm thinking about donating some of my stash to the quilt quild that I joined. There are some women there who absolutely cannot afford to go out and buy and I have lots of stuff I got from Walmart on the markdown (not the cheap-cheap stuff) for a dollar a yard and kind of want to weed that out...

Okie
Ok. I know where you are at! Yes thats my last name. Are you originally from around Chickasha? I think DH family is pretty much from around the Enid area, but you know some are scattered around!

mgshaw

Yes Chickasha is home and has been for close to 60 years (for me anyway). I do genealogy(at least before I came down with quiling fever) and they migrated to Oklahoma via Texas, Georgia, and Alabama.
Depending on how long I have this fever I may never get back to genealogy.

Well Okie I think Quilting Fever is a permanent affliction (or addiction) :lol:
I will ask Grandma Shaw about any relatives in your area.

I NEVER have a pattern in mind when I am looking at fabric. If I do, I usually TRY to have the pattern with me, or TRY to remember HOW MUCH I need. But, that usually never works.

Here's what I do.
If I like it and I walk back to it a couple times and say...yea, it's nice, then I'll buy 1/2 yard. That's 2 fats and I LOVE fat quarter quilts.

If it's something that will make a nice border or eye catching part of a quilt, then it's usually 2 or 3 yards.

If it's for a backing and I think it'll look nice in the front of the quilt......well, then I might buy the entire bolt, but usually about 8 yards.

If it SCREAMS my name and won't let me out of the store without it....well, that means I HAVE to have it and it could be anywhere from 6 yards to the entire bolt.

I have learned that if the fabric is really pretty and you REALLY like it, then buy at least 2 yards. I made the mistake of only buying a yard of a fabric I LOVED, only to go back and it was gone. I still have the fabric, not sure what I will do with it, maybe cut it for a fat quarter quilt, dunno, but I really LOVE it and DON'T want to cut it. lol
I think it will be one of those that stays in my "collection". ;)

I'm staying in the "buy only for a project in mind" state of mind...for the moment. :lol: I was at the quilting store yesterday and there was a lot of kids fabrics and bright/bold fabrics that I really liked. But was in the same boat as you...how much should I buy? So I didn't buy anything. I figure, it'll be there later. And if not, ah well.

I've already gone plum crazy buying scrapping supplies, I'm trying not to add another money suck. :lol:

Yeah, let's see how long that lasts!

Buy 3 yards if something you really like (borders or focal fabric in quilt). 2 if you are not sure but can incorparate other colors you like . Buy fat Q's often to build your stash if you like scrappy. Build your stash w/ colors you like and can coordinate. Lights are good tocollect always need backgrounds.

Ok...I'm a little different (in oh so many waysLOL) I collect red with white and whites with red.... and also blues...but I'm doing a charm soon in the red/whites I just need some more before I start cutting.

will buy anywhere from 1/4 yard to the bolt depending on cost, budget, if I think I'll really use a lot of it, quality, ability to use in more than one project, and whether it screams out to me or someone close to me. Whew! that's a lotta rules that really just = depends.