I am a scrappy gal, and a fabricholic, so I buy, buy, buy. I started out buying 1 yd pieces - one time I had a quilt shop cut 30 1/8th of a yard - I thought I was being silly, so I went to 1 yd. Then I started on the sausage pillowcases and that takes 1 1/2 yds so I get 1/2 yd for me if I buy 2 yds. If I love it 3 yds, a terrific buy, the bolt. I buy lots of neutrals and cut them in 1 1/2, 2, & 2 1/2" strips, ala Bonnie Hunter. These strip bins have been wonderful for me. I get in the mood and I pull over a certain size and start sewing.