When one is shopping at a LQS or at a larger fabric store, if you are just thinking of different ideas and purchasing for unplanned quilts that you just want to add to your stash, what is a good rule for how much fabric to buy? I see fabrics that I love and would like to use at a later time, but have no idea what for! Help is appreciated for purchase amounts for stashes.
oops, i meant fabric purchases, cannot type

When buying for stash, I usually buy 3 yards.

My own thought on fabric buying is: 2-3 yds if I know I won't use it in a border, 3-4 yds if there is a possibility that I would use it in a border and within the quilt (to tie it in together). If I really, really like the fabric I buy the whole bolt.

Most important consideration for my fabric shopping: all of this depends on my spare monies when shopping too tho. I try not to shop at all, unless I have plenty of extra monies. You never know what you may come across that you can not live without adding to your stash or future projects. ;)

When we go on vacation, I always set aside extra monies especially for fabric shopping.

I have found that 2 yds works pretty good. But if you like the fabric, go for it. If you watch for fabric for backings you need the handy quilt calculator. I couldn't live without it!

if i look at a fabric- love it and can think of a dozen projects that it would be wonderful for i buy as much of it as i can afford at the moment- if i love it but have no idea what so ever what i would ever do with it- i buy a fq...if it's something i like- think i would use---but not for alot of projects- i buy between 1 & 3 yards= if it would make a good border fabric i get 3- if just for piecing or applique i only get one.

2-3 yards works well and if it is one that I really like then 4 yards. I have made two quilts with this one fabric and have so far used 4 yards. need to get more for it is also going into a third quilt. you just have to go with what feels right to you.

Since most fabrics come 8-10yards on a bolt, I usually take whatever is on the bolt, hence my nickname 'The Bolt Emptyer".

Three yards works for me.! If I love, love, LOVE the fabric and 5 yards is left on the bolt, I will take it! :D

typically 3 yards unless the price and the fabric is great then i'll buy up to a bolt.

Usually 3 yards - but sometimes up to 5 or 6 yards I have alot of those "future" quilt fabrics.