I'm one of those that only buy for specific projects. That said, I do over-buy when I do. Usually by at least a 1/2 yard. That's how I've built my stash. And thank goodness too, because apparently I can't read/add/multiply/divide! Just bought fabric for a large lap quilt last week. Decided to change things up from the pattern and didn't calculate the number of fabrics correctly. Discovered this after 12 out of the 16 blocks needed were complete. Off to my 'stash' and found 2 fabrics that worked and that I had enough. Whew! I really didn't want to have to put on 'real' clothes and pay full price even if it was for only a yard or so of fabric. Now working on the latest batch of HST's to make up the last 4 blocks. Thank heavens for a rotating cutting mat!

2-4, sometimes as much as 6-8 or a full bolt if it's something I use all the time. But...I put out about 150-300 quilts per year counting big ones and little "pup" size ones...

3 yards, if it is really to die for 5, then if it is so darn cool I can't believe it, 8 yds.

My favorite quilts are very scrappy. I'm also frugal and don't like to waste money on fabric I won't use. The first three quilts that I made were scrappy, but I went out and bought lots and lots of FQ or half yard cuts before each one. I ended up with lots of scraps

When I started planning seven quilts to give to family, I wasn't sure how to stockpile fabrics for them. Bonnie Hunter's scrap savers system at quiltville.com seemed just right for me. One thing she suggests is to cut 10.5" squares of fabric to piece backings. That seems to keep me from buying big yardages just in case I need them for backings. If I need something specific for sashes or borders for a certain quilt, I promised myself that I would buy them after I finished piecing the blocks. Then I started buying one yard cuts of fabric for cutting strips for piecing. I had to step away from quilting for a while, but every now and then I pick up a few one yard cuts of fabric , knowing that I have a cutting plan for strips and squares.

My favorite quilts are very scrappy. I'm also frugal and don't like to waste money on fabric I won't use. The first three quilts that I made were scrappy, but I went out and bought lots and lots of FQ or half yard cuts before each one. I ended up with lots of scraps

When I started planning seven quilts to give to family, I wasn't sure how to stockpile fabrics for them. Bonnie Hunter's scrap savers system at quiltville.com seemed just right for me. One thing she suggests is to cut 10.5" squares of fabric to piece backings. That seems to keep me from buying big yardages just in case I need them for backings. If I need something specific for sashes or borders for a certain quilt, I promised myself that I would buy them after I finished piecing the blocks. Then I started buying one yard cuts of fabric for cutting strips for piecing. I had to step away from quilting for a while, but every now and then I pick up a few one yard cuts of fabric , knowing that I have a cutting plan for strips and squares.

I don't do that much anymore. Seems like the fabric I have bought like that I have a difficult time using them or adding fabric to do a top.

You are just like me! I buy a lot of whatever is left on the bolt! Sometimes it's just 1 -2 yds., but sometimes it's 7 -8 yds. But it seems like I never have the right fabric for some part of each quilt. I guess I'll just do scrappy quilts from now on, and maybe -- just maybe -- I can use up some of my stash!

I have waffled back and forth on this question many times over the years. At first I bought only what I needed for a project. Then I bought what I thought I loved in big quantities. Next I just bought FQ's to try to match up with my stash. Then I just tried to work only from my stash. Last year I went on a 10 day shop hop and purchased lots of kits. Finally I have realized that where I started at is what made me the happiest in my work. I like to have complete control over all of the fabrics I'm using in a project and I don't like to feel like I have to use just what I have because I have it already. I'm not really enjoying having a stash to feed and take care of anymore either. Too many pieces in it that I love but have never been able to make work in any of my projects and that makes me feel bad for buying it in the first place. So I'm going to go back to my roots when I'm next in a position to start picking and choosing again and will just work on one much loved project at a time. It's kind of funny too that my first several quilts were completely made up by me when I chose just one focus fabric to work with and then built the rest of the quilt and fabric choices around that main fabric. No one else even got to have a say in the patterns. It was pure bliss now that I look back at everything I've done. For me...less is more.

If it is a great sale, I buy all they have if I really like it. Yesterday I found some "Valentine" fabric that was really nice feeling to the touch. I bought all they had which was just under 4 yards. I paid $2.86 for the entire piece. I have so much fabric (used to work in fabric for 3 years) I only buy what is on sale unless I need a special piece.

I am on fabric diet (starvation....no new fabric ) but my Daughter who is soon to be a Grandmother is so much fun to shop with ....She sees what she likes, takes armfuls of bolts to the counter, asks for x# of yards and then says "Oh just do not cut, I'll take the rest of the bolt" cannot imagine were she got this from ;) Looking back over my shoulder i see the bolt with the remainder of the fabric from her wedding dress (35yrs ago). She has sons, she will soon have a grandaughter and the fabric will be used !

BTW her 'excuse' for buying the rest of the bolt is "whatever we have left from the nursery fabrics, Mom can use for the charity quilts" (she is right I will, saving a bit for memory quilt also)