I think that you could gather a group of quilting buddies or quilt group, and have an exchange of fabric--you put in 10 1/4 yards, as does everyone else, and then just randomly choose fabrics or pull them out of a heap. that way, you would get variety without having to buy, plus a fun time together with friends.

I buy FQ and cake layers for any scraps I want to buy. Or thrift stores--- I always seem to buy good quilting cotton there.

I've done it both ways too - sometimes I buy and sometimes I don't - mostly I don't since I don't like what I get either. Sometimes they sell scrappy bags at quilt shows - the guild sponsoring sells some.

I have bought scrappy fabric at my quilt guild auction. Then asked members if they have scraps that are at least 2 inches or larger ( I made a quilt 2 inches pieces, king size and needed a lot). So I guess I have bought scraps to get a good variety. Love the end product and use it every day.

Guilty also! And for the same reason as most - lacking some color family that I wanted to have in my scrappy!

Nope I used to but now I have plenty of scraps. In the beginning I bought a lot of sales FQs for $1 a piece. It helped offset buying yardage for one whole quilt all at the same time and by using scraps I could incorporate any leftovers or scraps I got from friends. It helps I prefer the look of scrap quilts.

Don't forget that those scraps that most of us have was yardage at one time. A couple of years ago I sold 3 boxes (10 reams of paper size) crammed neatly filled with scraps to a quilter whose fabric was stored and unavailable during a change of homes. She was thrilled to get it.

I have also bought scraps here on the board, sometimes just for paying the postage. And there are very generous board members who sometimes have gifted me scraps totally free.
These wonderful members have done a lot to keep me able to make and gift comfort quilts which is my quilting passion.
I do also shop thrift stores; love finding almost new XL and larger scrub tops as they often are fun prints that are great for children's comfort quilts.