My method works like this: I buy a panel for $15 bucks or so. In my head,this quilt costs around 15 and some change. Because I keep adding onto it at different times. It's a way to trick myself into thinking - I'm really not spending so much. A few bucks here, a few bucks there. I buy batting by the bolt and each bolt gets me approx 3 quilts. So the batting (since the money was already spent - it's free!). Am I crazy? Yes. It's not logical at all but in my mind, it works! I have never bought all the fabric, front and back, batting, pattern all at once. I'd probably just fall over and not buy anything. I have to rationalize it somehow and this is my method. Feel free to adapt!