How Much Do You Buy?
 

Since I am new to buying fabric for quilting here is my question. When you run across a fabric sale, and you just have to have some, how do you know how much to buy of each print?:D Especially if you don't have a pattern in mind.

Thanks

If I find a whole collection of a particular line, I might buy 1/4 or 1/2 yard pieces of all or several, and 1 or 2 yard cuts of something that particularly strikes my fancy for borders or a statement piece. Generally I buy 1-2 yards of just the odd piece I just have to have. For backing, blenders, etc. maybe 4-6 yards. If I don't have a pattern in mind it is sort of iffy. Mostly I just dream something up and do it, not a real pattern kinda gal..but I do make a drawing and try to follow what I started with, but usually it takes on a mind of it's own....a friend will make a suggestion that I didn't see, and off we go in a different direction, and sometimes back to get more fabric!

Many ask that question and there are even more answers (lol) than folks on the board I think.

What I do is, if it is a neutral that I can use as background - I purchase 4 - 6 yds, if it is a really cute novelty I will purchase 1/2 - 1 yard, if it is a color or a Batik that I really like I but 1-2 yards. Bottom line - but as much as you can afford because when you want to use it if you need more than you have - you will probably not be able to repurchase it.

If it's on sale...it's Katy-bar-the-door! If not, I try to confine my spending to 3-4 yards of whatever I "think" I need. Standards (blacks, whites, neutrals, etc.) are usually by the bolt...just because I use a lot of them. I very rarely buy with a designated pattern in mind...I am more apt to get it all together and then decide, Hey! this would make a great (star, dresden plate, drunkard's path, snail's trail....); anyway, you get the idea. I need to quit buying fabric...I have several thousand yards in my stash and will NEVER use it all up! (But won't my kids have fun when I'm gone!). And I very rarely buy a whole collection of fabrics...I really don't like the "way put-together" look....I much prefer lots of fabrics in one top...but that's just me...:)

I'm like "momto5" - when I see a fabric I'm thinking "this would make great binding, or border, or part of a DP9, or this would go great with that Asian fabric I have stashed away". If for binding, I know from experience that a 1/2 yard will give me enough to go around a 48" x 48" and if I really like it and would use it for a couple of quilts I'll buy a full yard. If for backing (my biggest quilts are 52" x 52"), I'll buy 2.5 yards and have some left over to cut up for string quilts or scrap quilts. And sometimes I buy fabric just because I like it and have no idea at all what I'll do with it. In that case, I usually buy a half yard.

I always buy at least 1 yard of fabric.

It also depends on how "controlled" you like your quilts. I can remember buying a FQ pack and splitting it with a friend (giving us each fat 8s) buying additional fabric for my border, background and sashing. The fat 8s were enough for all of my blocks. Of course it was not a quilt where the blocks had the same 3 colors in it.

I try to buy at least a yard if I can afford it. If it is an awesome sale, then I will buy 2 or more yards.

When I started to quilt, I didn't have a clue as to how much fabric a quilt would take, so when I decided to teach myself how to sew and then quilt, I purchased a used machine ($15) and searched for fabric and books. I only bought fabric that I loved and always bought 5 yards minimum. But that's my story, buy what you love and can afford!

Depends on how much on sale it is. If it's not more than say 50% off I probably won't buy more than 5 or 6 yards. If it's more than 50% off I may buy whatever is left. I've been to a couple of LQS where they had fabric on sale for $2.00 a yard or $1.00 a yard if you took all of it. Of course I took all of it!!

That's for sales though. For regular buying my thoughts are, if it's a blender (tone on tone, marble, etc) then I generally get 2 yards. If it's more of a focus fabric I'll get at least 4 and sometimes 7. If it's a large scale print that I'm only likely to use in the border and not for a focus fabric too I'll get 3 or 3.5 yards.

I read soemthing like this somewhere: If you like it get a 1/2 yard, if you love it get a yard, if you really love it get 2 yards, if you thinks it's totally awesome get 3 yards

Thanks for all the help. Sounds like a yard is where I will start. I can see buying fabric is very addicting!:p

Fabric buying is very addicting. I have been teaching an older couple quilting & they started out just buying 1 yard. I suggested 2 or 3 yards but they didn't think they needed that much. When they started their quilts, they realized they never had enough of one fabric to complete the project. They now buy 2 to 3 yards at least. With the left over fabric, if they have any, they use to make practice blocks before starting another quilt. When they have many practice blocks, they make scrappy quilts for animal shelters out of them.

I love this method! Unless you want it for a stack and whack or elegant lone star then you need to count the repeats.

A fat quarter is never enough if I really love the fabric. Sometimes, I will buy 5 or 6 yards. Soemtimes, I just finish the bolt. I will use it eventually.....after it's been properly aged....like a fine wine. Then, it's ready for sewing.