I don't mind mixing and matching but I love the look when it's all fabric in the same collection. I'm not sure what it is, it just really really makes me happy.

I like buying Jelly Rolls, charm packs, and fat quarter bundles of a fabric line. Then I can see which one I want to buy yardage of.

Well I have to say I will make a quilt using both methods...and I actually do buy my fabric in collections. Mostly but then I will always add other things later. MOst of the time when I buy it I never know what I am going to use it for I just buy it because I like it...then when I find what I am going to use it for ..I have to add more or a different color ect.

You know I never even thought to buy all from one collection, sure would make my life easier when picking fabrics!!!

Rachel

I buy my fabric by choice not collection, I like to choose and pick from the many colors...ohhing and ahhhhhhing as I roam around.

I throw things together that I like. I recently made an all blue Log Cabin for Jim and used scraps from years ago and some I had bought in just 2008. It came out wonderful. Don't be afraid to experiment. If you are worried something will not go together, just photograph the fabrics and show us. I am sure that someone here will be able to offer great advice as to what will go with what.

A jelly roll is a large variety of fabrics that have been cut for you. They are usually 2 1/2 inches wide, I believe. I have never bought one as I very often want pieces bigger than that.

The layer cake expression is for 10" squares already cut. Eleanor Burns made a quilt recently with them to cut out large flowers and large half-square triangles. It saves on buying a whole bunch of cuts of fabrics to have a coordinated scrappy effect. Usually the quilt stores have jelly rolls, layer cakes and I don't remember what they call them, but 5" squares all from the same fabric collection.

I like to choose my own colors and patterns for my quilts. The collections make it easier, I prefer the thrill of the hunt.

I dont use collections either, I use my stash now and somethimes have to buy 1 fab to finish out or for a border,I am trying to use up my stash and I never will.lol. Unfortunatly I live right next door to my fab shop.Jolo