I am really bad..........If I like it, I buy a yard..........If I REALLY love it, I buy 3 yards or more...........I do not like to piece backs, so I generally get the wide fabrics for my quilt backs.....so, my stash grows by leaps and bounds..........I frequently wil not have a pattern in mind. In the past......I have run out of fabric, and could not get any more ( UGH ) so now, I would rather have left-over fabric - so I buy in larger quantities.