I have a very small stash and wondered how you go about getting more. Do you buy a yard at a time or more and what you really like or do you buy just so you have different colors. I seem to look at materials and can't decide if I want it and what I would use it for.

I've been known to get more stash from auctions, thrift stores, yard sales, clothing that I cut apart, etc.

Blenders, I buy as I come across good sales, usually 1 yd+ of each color.
If I find a fabric that I absolutely love, I buy a minimum of 2 yards, but I have bought up to 6yds :D:D:D

I have a huge stash and most of it came from thrift stores, garage sales etc.. Also I buy from Joann and other stores when I find a real good deal on something I like. I make scrappy quilts so I can use just about any colors that I find. :thumbup:

I have started to build my stash also. There is a fabric store in Portland,OR called Fabric Depot. They have sales all the time with 35% off of their fabrics. I have also started buying some of their fabric from their online store because it sells for $4-$5 per yard. I just received 13 1-yard pieces from them and the cost was about $66 which includes the shipping.

You build a stash by getting OLD! :-) At least, sometimes it feels that way when I look at mine and ask myself "how did I ever get so much fabric?" Not complaining, mind you, but do wonder at times.

I agree with the others about yardage. If you look at some of your patterns, they'll give you a general idea of what is required in terms of the largest amount you might need, depending upon the size of the quilt.

I always over buy when I make a quilt in case I make a mistake or the pattern amount is wrong. I also buy fabrics that I like in hopes of using it at some point in a project. This is how my stash grows.

Clearance! I dig for all the 100% cottons and then weed out the ones I don't think will work with what I have (usually isn't much!) I always buy 2+ yd of each cuz u never know when you'll go "I wish I bought extra of that one peice!" That's just me though ;)

Me too. Blenders, marbles, great for filling in.

I'm known to buy a little extra, heaven forbid I need more and the store's not open. Not Good. Haha!

Note to self: buy extra material

I raid the remnants section. Other than that I just buy what ever I like. I'll figure out a use for it later.

When there is a good sale and I am not scouting for a specific project , I will buy a yard or two of a neutral. Sometimes I will buy 1/2 yards of many. It depends on my mood and $$ in my wallet. You can always use backgound fabrics or neutral backing fabric.
I find having a good stash of muslin colored tone on tone fabrics is a mainstay as they go so well with traditionals quilts and as a filler in scrap quilts.

my stash grew naturally as i made quilts and other items...i always buy extra to make sure i have enough for my project even if i screw up and have to re-cut something, so when the project is complete the left=overs go into the stash and it grows and grows! once in awhile i see something i fall in love with but have no idea what i will do with it...if it is something that i really do not know what i would do with it...but i love it i will buy a fq or 1/2 yard...if it is something that when i look at it i think of a dozen projects i could use it for i buy as much of it as i can afford at that moment....and i am always picking up extra whites, creams; neutrals because it seems like i always need them. and of course if i venture into a thrift store there is a pretty good chance something is going to catch my eye that will be adding to the stash.

I never set out to build a stash on purpose. It happened slowly over many years - like 40. LOL I used to make most of my clothes and also for my DS when he was young. Always 100% cotton. There were scraps left and I saved them. I bought a little extra for each quilt I made and added the scraps to my collection. I went through a phase of making only watercolor quilts and bought many flowered FQ's. Again, saved the scraps. There were several years of making baby and child quilts and saving those scraps. When my mom could no longer sew due to Alzheimers, I received 20 boxes of fabric because I'm the only daughter of 4 who sews. About 1/3 of that was cotton.

A couple of times a year, I'll go to all the quilt shops near me to check out their bargains/sales. If something really jumps ups and grabs me, I'll buy without having a project in mind. I'm always on the lookout for neutrals, paisleys, reds and soft light golden yellow. I also find cotton fabric at resale shops, yard sales, church sales, etc.

Now, when I start a project, I start shopping in my closet and then buy to fill in as needed.

i try to get at least 3yds if i like it