I found out a few days ago that my Walmart will be closing their fabric department in June. I'm so sad. :(
Here's the problem, I want to build a stash. What should I aim for? Do I go for solids and little prints or should I be looking at the novelty fabrics? Before I moved to Texas I had a fabric stash for clothing and costumes (SCA...), but a quilting stash is different. Any help would be appreciated. How do you decide what to buy for your stash?

I don't know how much help this will be but I tend to buy prints and novelty prints and then when I start a project I usually end up having to go out and get the solids on tonals I need to coordinate.

I buy what I like. If it is for a specific job, I have a color scheme in mind. All my leftovers go into containers or cut up into squares.
I have a lot of fabrics given to me, or I look at Goodwill. I find lots of neat fabric there.

It is always good to have solids and blenders on hand in every shade. You can always find a focus fabric.

It really depends on your tastes! I don't buy novelty prints unless I have a plan for them...I'm just not a novelty kind of gal. When buying for strictly stash building purposes, I try to stick to blenders, tonals and small prints, occasionally a bolder print if I really love it.

Blenders of all colors, solids in a wide variety of colors, and then whatever fabric 'talks' to you.
If you have quilts in mind that you want to make decide what colors/prints you want to use in them
If you don't really have any quilts in mind at the moment keep your eyes open for inspiration.
Then frequent the department to see what fabrics 'talk' to you and wait (if you can) until they go on sale.
Also look at what fabrics you already have and see what colors are missing in solids as well as any type print. (I tend to have very little purples, or light colors for some reason)

Sorry you will be loosing the department, but happy planning and shopping.

be careful what you wish for. =)

I love novelty prints, so when I buy on impulse that is what I tend to get. HOWEVER, what happens is that when I want to make a project, I have lots of fabrics that don't coordinate. I think a few novelties is fine, but it's good to buy a variety of tone on tones, marbles, and solids so that when you want to make something, you've got fabric to go with your novelty fabrics.

For the basics, Stock up on FQs in different colors/prints/patterns.
Stock up on good quality Muslin (the best you can buy), Kona Black, and WOW (white on white). With these basics, you're good to go.

If I like it, I buy it. I love the different blenders, marbles, fusions, etc. I only buy panels if I've got a specific plan for them. Love Kaufman Kona muslin and the printed muslins.

Who do you plan to quilt for? It's good to get a variety of colors if you can. There are some colors I have very little of, such as greys or browns. Mostly I have blues, purples, greens in a variety of prints and different size designs. Don't get all the same print in a bunch of colors. You need more variety! :)