My mother and grandmother always told me to buy 1, 3 or 5 yards--I have no idea why, but that's what I do. If I think I might use it as an accent, 1 yd. If it's something I like and may use, 3 yds. If I have an idea floating around and I see the fabric in it, 5 yds. If it's something that I will just die without, or if it's a bargain that's too good to be true, I'll buy the rest of the bolt.