people often ask how much fabric they should buy in preparation for playing along with our Blocks of the Month. that's a very hard question to answer since every block is different. some use only two colors, others may use more. quilts come in all shapes and sizes. somebody planning to use the blocks in an eventually bed-size quilt will need more than we "lapsters" do. here are a few of my thoughts on the subject.
if there is a particular fabric you already know you'll want to use in every block, i'd recommend at least a yard and a half if you're heading toward a lap quilt. three yards for twin or full. four toward a queen or king. (add to that if you already know you want it for sashing, borders or binding, too.) [**** these are wild guesses. you may get better advice as other members add to this thread. ****]
pick a background fabric that coordinates well with your primary fabric(s) but doesn't compete for attention. tone-on-tone prints are great for backgrounds. there isn't a "right" or "wrong" color. again - it shouldn't compete with the other fabrics. it should make them "pop".
Block-of-the-Month quilts offer a great opportunity to go "scrappy". If you're thinking of a particular colorway (e.g. shades of purple) start with some fat quarters of different fabrics in those colors and shades. if you run out before the quilt is done, jump for joy at the excuse to go buy more.
some members wait to see each pick and then go get their fabrics - usually fat quarters.
my self-inflicted challenge in 2007 was to make all my blocks out of my scrap bag. (silly me. i gave away my scraps before i'd made all the blocks. now i will have to dip into the rest of my stash. aw shucks. :lol: )
i don't think there's a wrong answer to the question. i'm just going to sit back and read the flood of other right answers that are sure to follow. :-)