Since I like scrappy quilts, I buy 1/2 to 1 yard cuts to have lots of variety. Used to buy 3-4 yds. and had too much of the same fabrics. Sometimes I have 20 or more fabrics in one quilt! Someone said you can use as many colors as you like if pieces remain small--not more than 2" square or 1/2 square triangles. Picked up several bolts for cutting at Walmart on $2 table. When cutting finished, she labeled them $1 a yd. Said she couldn't change price as bolts are marked off site. I spent $20 and got 20 yards!!! Came back next day--now $2 yard!