I don't normally buy fabric just coz it's pretty....I have to have a specific project in mind. But....when I do buy fabric, I always buy at least one yard over what I will need coz you never know what little accessories you might want to make to match the quilt. All that being said, I will buy basic solid colors (white, black, red, etc.) ahead if they are on sale or I have a 50% off coupon....same goes for batting and thread. As for quantity, I will buy as much as I can afford of the basics, with 3-4 yards a minimum. It would be great to have a huge stash to pick from when you want to make a quilt....but fabrics that you think are great today may not look so great tomorrow and be totally out of style in the coming months. That is my reason for not buying much ahead.