Hmmmm...I always go in with a project in mind and come out with that plus about 10 more just because they struck my fancy. I'm a fq junkie. I cannot pass up a fat quarter if I'm in the store anyway and they just happen to have some.

It all depends on what I've got in my mind . . .sometimes I have a design all graphed out and the colors in mind so I go buy specifically for that - I live in fear of not getting enough material to finish so I always buy extra.

If I don't really have a specific project in mind, I just buy what looks good to me. If it's on a bolt, I always buy at least 1/2 yard. If it's calling my name, a yard . . . and I never leave that leftover bit of fabric on the end of the bolt because usually you can get that at remnant prices even though it's part of the yard you are already getting.

I'm hooked (definitely) on flat quarters!! I do a lot of scrappy and those flat quarters are just dandy for that!

Quick question: has anyone bought any of the "running eighths?" I saw some at Joann's and almost bought a yard, but controlled myself - I already had a cart full of stuff.

Don't know if this helps . . . but it's how I build my stash :lol:

I always have to buy fat quarters.
I can usually stay clear of Jelly Rolls and kits.
If I like it I buy at least 1/2 yd, If I really like it then 1 yd, If I REALLY like the fabric I will buy at least 3 yds...
But I have bought fabric that is still lurking in my stash years later....how awful.
Is that fabric abuse or hoarding :D
K

I love the fat quarters

I just bought alot of fat quarters at Joann's tonight..Went in for a sewing table (yay it was unexpectedly on sale) and came out with a sewing table, a ton of FQs and about 8 yards of white muslin (also on sale..1.49/yd)

Basically I buy fabric that I like..lol..Then I figure out what to do with it..

Edited to add..Joann's FQs are on sale for 99 cents

I started about ten yrs ago buying 1/4 yrd of stuff I liked. - didn't sew then but wanted to. Then when I started sewing, bought a yard of material I liked when traveling. Then, actually started sewing and making things and running out of material and having to match stuff. Now I buy 2 yds of whatever I want to work with and am working on building my stash.
:D :D

Thanks everyone this helps a lot. I love fabric! but I have to watch what I buy right now being off work and we have to lil ones.. But I just may have to get two jobs, one to help with bills the other for my quilting.. LOL

If I like the fabric well enough to use for borders as well as in the blocks then I'll buy at least 3 1/2 yards (most of my quilts are queen size) but I'm a cheapie so it has to be a bargain too. If I plan to just use it in blocks then I'll buy 1 1/2 yards.

I don't NEED a reason LOL. I buy it cuz its pretty. But since I love scrappy quilts, I try to buy in pairs..... I normally buy 1/2 yrd unless I think I can use it for a back, then I buy more...

I started the same way- buying for a specific project, buffering for errors and then saving the leftovers for scrappy quilts. Now, I still buy for the specific project, but look for fq or sale fabric to match stuff I have to make it go further.

I like the resources section here as people like to let us know of sales and I check them out. Have saved a lot of money that way too.

If I am purchasing something specifically, I always look for kids stuff since I do quilts for Project Linus and a yard of juvenile print fabric can go a long way in a baby quilt. Recently I was at Joann's and did this- found about 6 or 8 fabrics, bought a yard each at $2.00 a yard and now have a ton of ideas. Certainly easier than only getting 1 yard for $8.00.

I don't use household budget money for my fabric. This is my "hobby" and I don't burden my husband with my passion. I use money from my notary public commission- it's not much but it keeps me in fabric.

barb