I only buy fabric I really like, pattern, weight, and weave all taken into consideration. More often than not, I do not have a specific project in mind, so usually buy lots of it. I often buy the rest of a bolt if there's at least a yard left. I eventually use everything I buy; nothing goes to waste. One piece of fabric can look completely different when it's mixed with different colors and in different patterns. I can't describe how much I love going through my stash when I start a new quilt project. If I have to make a trip to the fabric store to add to what I've chosen for the new project, that's fun also. I just take a few fabric scraps to match up. Also, I always buy my fabric at sale price or with a coupon.