i try to get 2 yards of a favorite fabric.

keep blenders in mind..(neutrals,tone on tone)

"Blenders are quilting prints with an abstract, tone-on-tone or washed appearance that help blend the different components of the quilt together"

sample pictures:
http://www.fabric.com/quilting-fabri...-by-color.aspx

White or WOW(white on white)

it really is what your pocketbook will allow. use coupons,look for sales. use freecycle,craigs list garage and estate sales.

I work at a quilt shop and what I noticed most people buying a yard but we have some gals that have been quilting for a very long time that if they love the fabric they buy 3 yards. If it is a really good deal they will finish the bolt if it can be used for a backing. 8yds +.
I love adding to my stash. Have fun!

I work at a quilt shop and what I noticed most people buying a yard but we have some gals that have been quilting for a very long time that if they love the fabric they buy 3 yards. If it is a really good deal they will finish the bolt if it can be used for a backing. 8yds +.
I love adding to my stash. Have fun!

There was an article on this Board (I think in Nov.) about stash building. You can probably find it if you look for Stash Building in the search above.

I have no hard and fast rule either. I just buy what I like but I always buy at least 2 yards of everything. The one thing I do do is, when I find a fab that I love I pick a complementary fabrics to go with them. For instance, if the fabric is a medium, I will buy a dark and a light to go with it. That way I always have fabs that go together and I can fill in as needed form my stash. Hope this helps you. Enjoy your shopping!

It depends on the fabric and how much I like it. But if you happen to acquire 2 pieces of fabric, make sure to leave a light on in the room. If you leave then in the dark, they mysteriously multiply!! I make lots of scrap quilts and I can never understand how I can use enough scraps to make 3 king sized quilts and not see a dent in the stash. Please, someone tell me how this works! As for acquiring a stash, watch what you wish for because you may get more than you bargain for :-)

If you save 2-1/2" scraps for quilts, I'd suggest getting a wallet photograph insert. You can put the 2-1/2" scraps in the photo plastic and, when you don't want to match it anymore, you can take it out and put it in your scrap bin. It also allows you to take the fabric out and feel the weight, etc., when you compare to fabric in the quilt shop.

Here's something on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-NEW-CREDIT-CAR...QQcmdZViewItem

I buy a lot of WOW and COC. I buy both of them by the bolt (10 to 15 yards). I just checked and I have 6 bolts in my fabric cupboard of just WOW and COC.

I rarely buy specific fabric for a specific quilt, which is odd I guess. I go to my stash which is an accumulation of fabric bought just because I love it, AND the price was really good! I like to buy a minimum of 2 -3 yards and more if I can. My stash isn't huge, but it seems I can always put together just what I like for almost anything I'm making. You will find out what works for you ... it's an interesting and fun process :)

If I really LOVE the fabric, I buy as much as I can afford, if I just like it a lot, I just buy 3 or 4 yards, which is probably why I have a pretty good sized stash. LOL