I am in the process of reorganizing my fabric stash and have come across fabric I've had for several years but haven't used.

Most of my fabrics were purchased because I liked the fabric but didn't have a specific project in mind. When I have a specific project in mind and then "shop" my stash I never seem to have the right fabric and end up buying more.

I'm thinking that I should first have a project in mind or a specific pattern, and only then should I buy fabric. How do the rest of you handle this?

Pattern first, then fabric????

I always buy material just because I see it, and can't live without it. Then every once in awhile I will find a pattern I like and go through my stash and pick out material to make it. Put the pattern with it and stick it in another stash of make one of these days. There have been times I have actually went back and made one.....

I'm a fabric first girl too. I just love it all...

Most of the time, I pick the fabric first. I'm more confident that I can locate a pattern than to find the fabric I love if I pass it up.

Pattern first, then shopping. Trying to reverse that trend and start with fabric!

My stash is big enough that I should be able to make a quilt a month until 2032. HOWEVER, there is always that bolt of fabric that begs "buy me, please!" OR the occasional project that is missing the perfect border. I do both - as long as I can shop for fabric. lol

I almost never buy fabric just to buy fabric. I have a project in mind first and then go pick fabrics. I use the fabrics I do have from other project leftovers or gifts for scrap quilts.
Just an opinion.

Fabric first girl, also!!! I have enough in my stash for lots of quilts but I find it hard to pass up fabric that begs me to buy it.

I do both. I buy lots of fabric just because it calls to me. Some of it makes it into quilts but most of the time I end up at the fabric store after I find a pattern I like. Then I end up buying more fabric on top of what I need for the quilt. :-D

I buy fabric first and yes, I buy fabric just to buy fabric(I'm addicted) and then shop from my stash when I pick out a pattern I want to make. I'm sooooooo proud of myself last weekend I went to LQS with my DM and didn't buy any material. I had a pattern in mind and my own material picked out, but wanted to see if I liked something else better and I didn't. Good for me!!!