When I started I bought a lot of fat quarters... if I liked it I bought it. And I found out that I am not really scrappy at all!!! Still have most of them. For a long time I bought a yard and a quarter - back when fabric was 44/45 inches wide it made a nice square for a table topper or pillow. Now I get between 1 and 3 yards (5 if on sale and it would make a good backing)