Fabric purchases
 

How do you purchase your fabric? I look at people's projects and think I have all the colours but not enough of the background colour ie usually white. Love the pin wheels with white background but I could never start as I know I don't have enough white. I can work out quantity, do you purchase that amount or more? Do people buy part bolts in one background colour?
I started a project luckily when I required more fabric found a location in USA who had some but it was very expensive. I have a stash of all colours which would just be too much without a plain or cooler background.

Thats a hard question because everyone has a different answer. I personally will buy extra fabric for lots of reasons, mainly, as hard as I try, I can't cut straight.

When I find fabric that I use often, shchi as whir on white or grey, I buy 3-4 yards.

Sounds like you need to go on a fabric buying trip!! but....only buy tone on tone creams, whites and light fabrics. I might buy 20 different FQ's because I love to do scrappy quilts and have plenty of colored fabrics or I would buy at least two yards of any one good light fabric to complete an entire project. You will always be able to use lights in any project......find a friend to share a half yard ( usually less $ than a FQ ). She buys from one store and you buy from another store, then go for coffee and split out what you have purchased....fun and you will double what you have in your stash. Just be sure your friend has the same taste in ''quality'' fabrics and doesn't cheap out on you!!

I used to buy 1/2 yards and fat quarters...but after ten years of quilting I find that I never have enough on hand of what I need. I tend to be a purposeful buyer, I buy fabric with a specific quilt in mind. Now a days I buy 1/2 yard minimum and usually 1-2 yards at a time. I never have a lot of "neutrals" or whites on hand either so I made it a habit to buy at least 1/2 yard neutral every time I went fabric shopping and that helped to build up my stash. Though...I still often end up having to buy at least SOME fabric for a new project! :)

I was told by a LQS owner to always buy three yards of a fabric if it does not have a project to go into, but it is for your stash. However, I still seem to be a 1/4 yard short, when I go to use it. I don't think there is a magic yardage. If you like a piece buy plenty. If you come across a sale, stock up on background fabric. Buy six yards of a light colored tone on tone, (white or cream) and then you will have plenty for what ever you need, and you will always use it in something. I inherited my mom's stash, and she had bought six yards of a white on white when our LQS went out of business. I have used it as a background for three quilts and still have plenty.

I buy bolts of fabric I know will make good background or backing. I buy bolts from Marshall's Dry Goods. There are usually 8 - 15 yards on a bolt.

When I see fabric on sale I will buy several yards of one design. This weekend, I was looking for muslin and found good quality quilting fabric cheaper, so I bought 10 yards of white tone on tone for $4. That was all they had, or I would have bought more. Maybe that is why I have such a huge stash!

I tend to buy bolts of fabrics in solid and tone on tone. I also bargain shop to get the best deal however if I really like something such as batiks I'll buy it no matter what the price is if it appeals to me. Because I am a free spirited designer I seldom buy less than five yards of anyone type.

I do not use patterns and create what I see in my mind as I use the fabric. So I am the type that stitches, than slashes, and may stitch it all back up and may even slash it again to get the effect I see in my mind.

I waste nothing so even the smallest scraps, threads and such are saved to incorporate in a piece later on.

Thank you all you all saw my problem . This winter living in England like some of you I didn't want to go out in the icy snowy weather. Buying can be. Problem as my friend has a fantastic quilt shop close to. Beautiful fabrics which are her choice and I like to see new or different designs. I think I will start to collect bolts of tone on tone creams and whites it is always this colour I'm short.