I found a quilt pattern in a magazine I would like to try. The list of materials says 1 1/4 yards total assorted coral prints and dots (blocks). 2 1/2 yards total assorted yellow prints and dots (blocks). 2 1/2 yards total assorted green prints and dots (blocks). 2 1/4 yards coral floral (border) 3/4 yard green tone-on-tone (binding). How do I know how much of each fabric to buy if I don't have much of a stash? How do I know how many different prints and dots are in each assorted color? The instructions tell you how many squares and rectangles to cut but just says "from assorted colors cut..."
I am not totally new to quilting but am frustrated not knowing how much fabric to buy of each color.

Usually the pattern tells you how much fabric of each to buy. Then it should go on to tell you which fabric to cut what sizes from.....unless they just want you to wing it!!!
Strange but good luck

Well, in most cases you can't buy less than a 1/4 yard cut (fat or skinny) of a particular fabric, so I would go with that measurement.

So, I'd buy 5 FQ's for the coral color (or whatever color you're substituting if you're not making an exact copy)
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And I'm going to sound like a broken record, but you have to look at the pattern and see how the fabrics/colors relate to each other.

Are the corals pretty much the same value in the quilt? Because if you get a very light one and a very dark one, then that could affect the way the pattern turns out.

If you did buy the 4 or 5 corals (or whatever color) and decided you wanted more, then post a picture of your selection to date, and I will be more than willing to whack off a couple of pieces that would match so you can have a greater selection.

I'm a huge fan of having 30 plus fabrics in a quilt - planned, not scrappy. So, yes, those of us with huge stashes could probably pull out 30 fabrics at a minimum for each color/value request.

But you gotta start somewhere. ;-)

Can you post the name of the pattern, or provide a link to a picture?

i think a list like this is becoming more common today.

there are scrappy quilters and then there are people who like a more uniformed looked - a fabric list like this allows you to be creative in your selection - do you want all random is more uniform - you have all the control in the design - they are only given you the totals needed for each group.

It sounds like you just need 3 or 4 pieces that add up to the yardage stated. Then it doesn't matter which pieces you cut, just cut using all the pieces of fabric you have.

It sounds like a scrappy quilt to me. 10 fat quarters (or regular WOF quarters) each of yellow and green, 5 of coral. Get an assortment of each color.

You need the 2 1/4 y coral and 3/4 y green to be one pc fabric each.

I know what you mean....I worked up the directions for a pattern in a magazine for a retreat. the amount given was about like what you have there.
So. Look first and see if all the prints are about the same value. If so then it is easier. Then look to see how each block is constructed. Are there very darks or lights in it. Fortunately my case had all about the same value.
Then choose 5-8 prints in each color group. It just depends on how the colors are used in the pattern.

Can you give the source for the pattern or post a picture that will give some idea of what the finished product will look like.
I decided in my case that the "designer" had access to all the fabrics in a certain line from one fabric company. Yours may be the same and the total mix is what they worked with.

It is so hard to give an informed answer when we don't know the design of the quilt...or the source or the name of the block/quilt.

I paid really big bucks for a pattern once, and under the yardage requirement ... it just said "Lots" . I am a pretty experienced sewer ... but "Lots" it just really chapped my.......
I was so paranoid about getting alot invested time, pattern etc and running short on a few colors. It was the most nerve racking quilt I made because until it was done I was not sure if I had enough.

Don't forget that when you buy fabric it has two sides. Sometimes the back can work as a lighter variation of the original side.