I buy 3 to 5 yards of something I like. I never buy with a specific pattern in mind. When I find a pattern I want to make I stand in front of my wall of fabric filled boxes and pick the colors I want. I always have plenty. I once made a quilt for my sister in law and lacked 1/2 yard to finish one color. It took me 3 years to find the matching fabric in North Dakota to finish the quilt. NEVER AGAIN!!!I buy a lot and the left overs if not used within 3 years goes to my Rainbow bee to make charity donation quilts.