when it is a fabric i think would make great borders or backgrounds i buy 2-3 yards- if it is something i love but really have no idea what i would do with it i buy 1 yard- or maybe even a fatquarter- if i just can not even imagine what i would do with it- if it is a fabric i think would make a wonderful back i buy anywhere from 5 -10 yards...depending on the price & if i think i could use it for more than one quilt.
so, it really depends on why i like it- is it a good blender- fabric i would pull out & use often? then i need 2-3 yards of it- is it more of a feature fabric that needs other fabrics with? then maybe only 1 yard....i seldom have a plan when i buy fabric-unless i'm choosing a backing-