This is just really confusing me. I'll be honest straight out and I am trying to find the cheapest way to start my stash without making us fabric poor. :wink:

I found some really cute stuff and the charm packs are 0.49 yds of fabric which contains 28 different fabrics for $1.72 a pack. This is where I get stumped though.

The 10" stacks of the same fabrics is 1.94 yds. for $6.62 a pack. Shouldn't the 10" stack just be double of the charm packs? What am I missing here? But in the end. The stacks would be cheaper to buy because you can cut them in half right? It be like buying 2 charm packs or am I just totally losing my mind and need to go to bed?

I've been reading so much stuff today and trying to figures things out that I think I may just be over thinking things at the moment because nothing seems to be clicking into place. :shock:

Wait, it would take 4 charm packs to equal 1 stack. 4 charm packs comes out to 112, 5" blocks. While 1 stack cut in half would only equal 56 blocks. So that means you would get a better deal with the charm packs. I think my brain has just melted.

In general pre-cuts are more expensive than yardage. If you want to build stash you are better off buying yardage.
Charm packs are usually 5" square and layer cakes 10" square. So one layer cake is the equivalent of 4 charm packs.

The stacks would be cut into 4 and give you 112 blocks . multiply cost of charm pack x4. You get slight ly better deal with 10" stack....but I wild buy yardage!!!

I think buying the 10 inch is the better deal because you could get 4 five inch squares out of each peice which would be equivalent to buying 4 charm packs. And you would only be saving like 26 cents by buying the 10 inch packs. :)

I always buy yardage. That way I can cut the fabric any way I want.

If you wish to work with pre-cut squares, decide which size you want to work with. If you don't want to bother to cut fabric, make sure you don't have to cut it at all.

The price seems to be about the same. Keep in mind that you get 4 squares out of each 10'' square, so you have to divide/multiply by four not by two to compare the two offers.

4 charm packs equals one 10'' stack
4x 1.72 = 6.88, which is only slightly more than 6.62

If you want to build your stash with precuts, shop at Connecting Threads. They are the only shop I've come across that doesn't charge extra for the precuts. Their prices come out to the same amount per yard as if you bought yardage.

the difference between charms/layer cakes/and yardage is variety-
you pay for the pre-cuts differently- but whey you get a charm pack or a layer cake you get more variety than if you bought 1 yard of fabric- so you may pay more for that- it is up to you what kind of quilting do you do? if you tend to make small blocks- which you can get out of 5" pieces of fabric- or you do mostly scrappy quilts- charm packs my be just the right thing to buy-
if you need a bit more the layer cakes---and a layer cake cut in half twice gives you (4) charm packs
but if you do not do scrap quilts- if you make larger blocks- you might be better off picking up a yard here and there-
a stash will grow all on it's own as you make quilts- you really do not have to specifically shop to build a stash
decide on a quilt you want to make- go shopping for that quilt- buy 1/2 a yard extra of each fabric you need- that gives you a bit extra for the just in case--(like a wrong cut)
when the project is done---look at all you have left over for your stash!
fabric will multiply like bunnies- if allowed to do so without ever buying a pre-cut pack.
but if you are all about scrappy- and convienience===then which ever pre-cut catches your eye- should be the decider-
you will drive yourself crazy trying to figure out (yardage- conversions) they dont hold up- because you are paying for the variety--and for the fact someone had to cut those fabrics for you.

I usually buy the yardage when I find it on sale. I find the best way to start a stash is with your neutrals and blenders. Then add to that as you go along. Whenever I do a quilt I don't buy the exact yardage specified, I always buy a little more. :D In time you'll have your stash.

Overthinking. Both are ways of buying a little of each pattern in a collection. But, is that the kind of stash you want? I have both 5" and 10" stacks, but not many. I actually started buying fat quarters. I have graduated to buying 2 & 3 yd cuts! Just buy what you like. And set a budget for yourself. Scour sale racks, you will be amazed at how easily you can add to the stash on a budget!