If I like a fabric I will buy the fat quarter bundle if they have it since most of my patterns use fat quarters. If I swoon over the fabrics I will indulge in a yard of the entire line along with 3 yards of a favorite in the line for use as a border, thankfully, I only have 2 or 3 of those! 90% of my stash is Fat Quarters, the rest is 1/2 yard to 5 yard cuts and 80% of my stash are Batiks.
Something to keep in mind as you evolve as a quilter, is that your tastes may change! When I started quilting I loved the traditional fabrics and patterns and I purchased a lot of those fabrics, patterns and books. A decade later I find I am drawn towards more modern quilts and patterns, and batiks are my fabrics of choice. In a major overhaul and purge of a few years ago, a local gal was the recipient of totes and totes of fabric and books and patterns that I once loved but no longer suited me. At the end of the day, have fun and enjoy your shopping trip and don’t forget to show us what you got!