If it is a fabric I really love and I want to use it for borders I buy at least 3 yards and this will give me 108" for the borders which I cut length of fabric(not across width which stretches). I always cut these borders first, and set aside. I sometimes buy 3 1/2 just to make sure incase it is for a king size. What ever is left after cutting the borders, is usually enough for the blocks. I do buy a lot of fat quarters for scrap quilting. If it isn't going to be used for borders then I buy at least a yard or 2. Jan