I quit buying because my stash was really getting out of hand. I have been selling it so I can get it down to a more manageable stash. I am almost to where I want to be. That being said when I was buying I would 1 yard or more depending on the price and how much the "I just had to have it" factor played in.

If it's a fabric I really love, I buy at least 3 yards. The rest of the time I just get a little more when I buy a fabric. If the pattern says to buy 1/2 yard, I buy 1 yard. I have been amazed at how quickly I have begun to accumulate fabric that I really like. The main thing is to buy what you can afford. Quilting is an expensive hobby. You would love and enjoy it and not feel guilty because of the money you are spending.

i buy yardage any where from 3 (minimum) up to a bolt of the same fabric.

once you know your voice as a quilter you will know what type of stash you need.

like a previous person said different styles have different stash needs.

for example i never work with novelty prints so it would be pointless for me to buy this types of fabric even when deeply discounted because i would never use it.

YES - LOL

This board has great fabric for sale at great prices.
Watch the classified ads.

your stash will grow naturally with the left overs from your projects.
if you buy an extra 1/2 yard or 1 yard when buying for a project you will be amazed how quickly your stash grows.
fabric multiplies faster than rabbits when you are busy sewing :)
and as you shop if you see something you absolutely love but do not know what you will do with it yet buy as much of it as you can afford- especially if it's something that could make borders- or a great quilt back.

I started with fat quarters and now generally buy at least a full yard. If it is a good usuable over all pattern (like white on white, black or tan/cream), I often buy 4 yards.

And I tend to only buy for my stash if it is on a very good sale. Otherwise I try to only buy for a specific quilt project.

yes, yes, yes and yes. I go through phases. I went through my precuts phase and have all kinds of jelly rolls, charm packs, etc to show for that. Then I went through my half-yard phase where I bought half yards of fabrics with the occasional yard thrown in. Right now I'm in my fat quarter phase but I never really abandoned my half yard phase. It just depends on the design and the prices.

ME TOO!

I look a prices, what I really want and basics like muslin, tone on tone etc. Usually if I really like it I buy FQ. For tone on tone yards and for Moda muslin, kona black yardage.