donna13350

I buy fabric for backing in 5+ yard batches or by the bolt when I get a deal. I buy tone on tone, solid black and solid white by the bolt because I use a lot of it. I buy fabric that I love with no plan for it here and there. I have a large stash, so I am trying to use up fabrics that I have.

pocoellie

I buy fabric if I like it and it's a good price. I don't necessarily have a project in mind for it. I have cut down on my buying, since I have a HUGE stash, but if it's something I HAVE to have, I'll get it. LOL I also have a HUGE stash of scraps. LOL

Nanny's dollface

I usually buy with a specific project in mind: however, if I see fabric that I love and it’s on sale then I buy 2-6 yards of it . The bigger yardage is for backings. I am trying to use what I have which is two huge bins worth- to much for me.

Irishrose2

I have too much fabric, so now I only buy what I need and only in the exact amount. I did that today as I'm working on a graduation quilt and my stash doesn't have any lime green.
My scraps - anything 1 1/2" to 2 1/2" are saved for postage stamp quilters - not me. I've been doing leaders and enders with 2 1/2" squares, working toward an Oklahoma Crossroads quilt. Larger pieces are left intact to work into another quilt. I would dislike cutting it up, then find I need a different size. Because most of my fabrics fall into the same color genre, I can just keep using a piece until it's gone.

WMUTeach

My sassy answer to your questions is..... "carefully". But in reality, as well as being careful, I also purchase occasionally when there is a good deal. Recently a local quilt store had a 50 - 70% off because they were closing. I chose to buy fabrics that I liked knowing that because I was drawn to them I would use them. Most cuts were 3 yards with a few 4 yards. (I just finished the bolt.) I did not purchase anything just because it was a bargain. I also chose not to go back for more. I did have a quilt in mind for some of the fabrics. But honestly my stash is deep enough, mostly inherited fabric, that my primarily purchases are backing and occasionally MSQ pre-cuts that KNOW I will use.

Thanks for the question. It was nice to stop and examine my own rationale for shopping for fabric.

Scraps? I turn them into quilts and donate them or give them as gifts. I love scraps and have made many more scrap quilts than planned or single line quilts. I have scraps organized by size and from time to time I will dive in and just create a top for no reason because it is fun to see a pattern develop with multiple colors.

Lady Diana

I buy fabric if I like the pattern in addition for specific projects. I buy batiks and quilt cottons and occasionally apparel fabric. I have mounds of folded fabric. I need to purge. I have kits in QIAD zippered plastic totes that have not been opened. It will take my life time + to piece and quilt them. I purchase fabric in 3 yard increments when not buying for a project. I tell my daughters do not purchase fabric, just come to my house and take what you want. I love fabric and yes, it makes me happy knowing I have a lot of it and purchased at reasonable prices over the last eight years.
I have quality quilt fabrics now selling for $12 or more per yard, that I paid less than $6.

Bobbielinks

I buy for a specific project, more than the pattern calls for as Most patterns I find are for smaller quilts than I like to make. Any scraps left from the project is sorted by color and saved for scrap quilts; of which I have made 5 now.

joe'smom

When my LQS closed a few years ago, I became an on-line only buyer. This means I end up with quite a bit of fabric that is not quite what I thought it would be, and which I would probably not have bought had I been seeing it in person. So I consider that my quilting destiny has been essentially changed by the fact that I can't buy in person. I think I bought more haphazardly and impulsively when buying in person, buying things I liked with no purpose in mind.

Now I mostly buy for a specific project, except for neutrals, which I'm always on the look-out for. As an on-line buyer, this often means that some of what I bought isn't quite right for the intended purpose, and goes in the stash. Occasionally there is still the impromptu purchase when I feel a fabric and I are meant for each other.

We have a small house and I have not yet been able to figure out where the heck to set up a scrap storage system, so my scraps are currently in plastic grocery bags here and there, unused.

edit to add, I'm a terrible sucker for bargains. I'll buy a fabric I wouldn't ordinarily consider if it's on sale, which I think is pretty dumb, so hoping to stop that practice.

joe'smom

Could you explain about giveaways on the board? Where do they happen?

peaceandjoy

I have a fairly healthy stash from when I was working (retired 18 mos ago). Now, lower income and no more room have slowed me down. Well, also I have learned to say to myself "Will I really use it? Do I really love it?" I buy mostly for a specific need, but also if I love something. I learned the hard way that if I love it, I should just get it. A few years ago, Minnick and Simpson had a line called "Midwinter Reds" that I loved, looked at several times, and just didn't get it. I still regret that, lol.

Specific need is kind of broad for me. For example, I bought the APQS kit for "Journey to Fall Paducah" because it reminds me so much of the Light Bright I played with as a child, and because I want to do a quilt in solids (they really intimidate me). Normally, I'm quite comfortable pulling fabrics, but not solids! So while I don't often buy kits, this was one that I wanted. Now, I know it'll be a while before this gets done - I have UFO's I need to finish or at least make good progress on before I start something new. While it's waiting, I'm watching for a great sale on solid black, as I will need over 10 yards to complete the kit. I found the perfect backing through MSQC, so once I find the background black, I'll have everything I need. It'll get done. Someday!