My minimum is always 2 yards and I go up from there. I have such a collection of fabrics that I've had for years and have found that when I didn't purchase at least 2 yards I would never have enough. I do buy collections that I love then whatever else suits my fancy (TOT, batiks, seasonal etc.) My feelings are if I have excess for a particular quilt it will then go to my stash for whatever might strike my imagination later on and I have never been disappointed.