I too would buy off the bolt!! It would be a shame not to!!! Most of the sales people I have run into dont mind cutting - I say if you go to JoAnns with 20% off entire purchase you may even go for 1/2 yard cuts - that way you have a stash lol Also be sure to look here - alot of times people will sell their "scraps" or you could post under the "In search of" section. You can usually get things rather reasonably here and save standing in lines lol Would love to see your dad's quilt and the sunbonet once its completed!!