Welcome from Port Charlotte, Fl. I find that I have always kept scraps from the projects I have made and at times have over bought fabric. I also have a habit of buying some yds if I see a fabric I really love or even the Fat Quarters (FQ). LQS is local quilting store and there s/b a place on here and I can't see it but it will tell you what some of these abbr.'s mean. Good Luck. Also as far as new patterns look on here at the pics they show some beautiful quilts that may help you decide on a pattern. I have a subscript to Fon's & Porter and also belong to their quilting site I think it is $29. and you can apply to Joanne's Fabrics for a discount card for 10 % off purchases. Plus they also have a site free for their programs and you can find free patterns if you are a member. I'm sure on here you'll also get a lot of good ideas. Their are a lot of quilting places online for kits like Connecting Threads. I'm sure there are other places also. Quilters World subscrip is also good. Have fun. Sue