I am very new to this craft also. I started out buying fat quarters too. (I think trying to build a stash quick) But is really not enough for a big project .....so now I buy at least 3 yards at time or if it is a really good sale and I really like it I usually buy 6 yards. I am really good at buying fabric.....making a quilt....not so much.

I'm not buying anymore just got 3 large totes of fabric from my brother from my sister-in-law who past away earlyer this past year. It is a mix of quilting fabric, silk, saten, knits etc. Most of it is 3 to 6 yards and lots of scraps. Much of it is vintage fabric from the 40's and 50's.

I'm cheap so I generally only buy for a project. If I don't have a project in mind, I will tend towards buying a FQ pack or layer cake or something like that. If I am not buying pre-cut, I will probably only buy a yard if it's a good sale. I know I should buy more, but I just can't afford to spend the money. I can usually get a whole quilt out of a yard by adding other fabrics.

Cheers!
Rachel

I buy WAAAAAAAAAAAAY to much and I know it...

My rule of thumb is:
If I like it, I buy one yard...
if I love it, I buy 3-5 yards...
If I cant live without it, I buy the whole bolt...
( I do that alot !!!)

I buy what I need for an up and coming project,usually in 3yd increments. My stash seems to be growing, and I am using some from my stash lately. I sometimes buy 108" fabric, and whatever is left over for another project.

Depends on how well I like it. If I have a project in mind I'll get what I need for that and get an extra yard or 2 for something else. I've done that since I started sewing to get my stash built up. And now its built up alright. I'm almost stashed out of my sewing room. haha. If I don't have a project in mind I'll get a couple of yards but it all depends on the fabric. If its a neutral and I think it will go with lots of stuff I'll buy about 3 yards.

I buy fabric I like, and have started going to Paducah a lot to go to Handcocks of Paducah, (not the chain store) I hit the rement table of baticks and just grag what ever hits my fancy,1/2 yard to just over a yard. I'll find some thing to do with them, no problem, also get lots of wide backing that way.

If I see a whole collection that I love, I will purchase small amounts of each print from 1/4 to 1 yard. Then I will look to see which one of the prints I would use for a border, binding or any other larger part of the quilt and purchase from 2-4 yards. If it is just one fabric that I see and fall in love with I usually purchase 2-3 yards. I have done this when ordering online also. There are a great many fabric stores online who have a half yard minimum but if you ask, most will cut you
1/4-1/3 yard pieces when they know you are taking all of the collection plus some larger pieces.

I don't normally buy fabric just coz it's pretty....I have to have a specific project in mind. But....when I do buy fabric, I always buy at least one yard over what I will need coz you never know what little accessories you might want to make to match the quilt. All that being said, I will buy basic solid colors (white, black, red, etc.) ahead if they are on sale or I have a 50% off coupon....same goes for batting and thread. As for quantity, I will buy as much as I can afford of the basics, with 3-4 yards a minimum. It would be great to have a huge stash to pick from when you want to make a quilt....but fabrics that you think are great today may not look so great tomorrow and be totally out of style in the coming months. That is my reason for not buying much ahead.

Way to much. I buy 3 yards if I like it 5 if I love it and like Debbie.JJ I buy prints and have to go looking for solids when I start a project.