I buy whole bolts of white-white, off-white, and black solids and the unbleached muslin when they have the 40% off sales, but get the 108" wide when possible as it's cheaper in the long run. I use these colors so much for so many projects (including garment sewing) and have never had to run out and buy more in the middle of something (or several concurrent somethings).

I would buy anywhere from 10 yards to the whole bolt. I always end up using all of a bolt of basic white or cream. It may take a year or two, but hey, fabric keeps well. grin. Seriously get what you can comfortably afford.

If I am stocked up on the WOW I try to find a pretty, small print and buy 10 yards...use it for quilt backing. I have done this 3 times and never been sorry...yet...:)

Great minds think alike LOL

Depending on your monetary situation buy the bolt otherwise buy as many yards as you can afford. Sometimes I just buy in 4 yard increments, enough for sewing skirt or shirt, or enough to cut up for crazy quilt etc..

I agree with everyone else - if it's a good quality fabric and the design isn't too limiting buy as much as you can afford(I've been known to buy the entire bolt).

At least 3 yards to as much as you can afford! Maybe go through patterns you are thinking of making and add up the yardages to decide how much to buy.

I seldom by less than 6 yards when purchasing a basic that I know I will be using. Earlier this fall I had a 60% off coupon from JoAnn's and bought a whole bolt of unbleached muslin because I use it so often. I got the 90 wide because I haven't made any quilts wider than that, yet. Good savings and nice to not have to run out for small cuts. It was the end of my shopping for fabric for a while, but it is stash buster time for me.

buy iy by the bolt...can't have enough of this staple!

I also agree, buy as much as you can afford with the 40% coupon.