This is probably a really dumb question but here goes anyway. When you go into a fabric store and you see fabric that you like but you don't have a specific pattern in mind or one you are working from, how much fabric do you buy?

I keep finding things that I like but I'm new to quilting and I don't always have a pattern in mind or one that I'm working from and I don't know how much to buy. Then I just end up leaving without buying it because I'm afraid I won't get enough or I'll end up with way too much.

What is a good amount to buy?

Thanks!

Depends on if you like quilts with say five patterns to them or ones with mixed patterns but similiar color schemes. When I dont have a project in mind to appease my fabric urge I buy 1/2 yrd pieces or 1 yrd at the most so that I have something I enjoyed and will one day find a use for it. Be more frugal? buy a fat quarter of something.. usually I do mixed fabrics in my quilts so this works. You dont want to end up with 3 yrds of something you might never touch because there is no project that comes to mind. Maybe shop patterns instead? window shopping those in a quilt store is awfully fun too.

If I'm shopping with no pattern in mind and I see a fabric I like I usually get 1yd, especially if I think I can use in a scrappy quilt, if I really, really love the fabric I get 3yds (I attach a note with place, name and date), if it's a fabric that might look good as backing I usually get 5 yds (again, can cut up for futue scrappy quilt). I tend to not buy FQ b/c of the price.
Just my shopping ideas; but shopping for patterns may be the way to go until you build up your stash for that scrappy in the future :) :)

I usually buy 0.5 metres, that's just over half a yard I think. If I really really love the fabric, or it's a really good offer, I might get 1 metre.

Nicole

The first time I bought less than a yard, DH was surprised. He thought 1 yd was a minimum cut. Now, I have a sizeabe stash, I may just pick up a fat quarter. It all depends. Neutrals or blenders, 1/2 to 1 yard. Beautiful prints 3 yds. Something that might be a backing 5-ish yards. Fabric with special panel prints, I count the repeats and get at least 2 repeats.

I go through spurts when I buy very little and then I'll go hog wild.

That is my rule of thumb, 3 yards but if all they have left is up to 5 I will buy it all. That way I know I will have enough to do a project and then I will always have a bit left over for something else.

But I do not think I would buy anything less than a yard to be safe.

Billy

Thank you everyone! You've been such a big help. Now I won't feel like I have to have a pattern in order to buy my fabric. You all are a wealth of knowledge!

Thanks again!

I don't buy FQ I usually get 3 yds or whatever they might have if it is under 3. If I love the fabric it is a crap shot as to how much I buy. When I use to be able to go out and hit the sales if it was a really good quality fabric super cheap I would buy it all. The only time I have purchased small amounts is in remanents.

Gee, My rule of thumb is "You can never buy too much fabric!" :mrgreen:

I like your rule I think I will make it one of my golden rules.

2 to 3 yards if it is good for borders,2 if going to use for sashing, 3 if it is a nuetral and used for background. If you want to build your stash w/ pretty colors then at least a yard. Itf the price is right then 6-9 for the backing of a quilt. Limit yourself on Fat q's till you build a bigger stash and have many other fabrics that coordinate. Just keep in mind 4 fat Q's make a yard and that yard can cost up to $10 instead find sales and buy yardage. If you want fat q's you need 16 coordinationg to make a lap quilt.

If I really like it, about 3 metres, just over 3 yards... I think. I won't any less than 1 metre if it's on the bolt.

for fat quarters, I will buy them if they're either in a bundle or there's a few of them in the collection that I like.

Granted, I'm been making Quilts of Valour and saw some fabric that was great for backing... bought all the 10 metres because it was in the sale at a rock bottom price. I just couldn't walk away from it. :wink:

If it is a fabric I really love, I have been known to buy the whole bolt, or at least five yards (and as much as 10)!! If I really like the fabric, I usually buy three to five.

LOL, even when I buy FQ's of fabric, I usually buy at least 4 of the same fabric!

It depends, but never less than 1 yard.

Ha! You should've let him continue to believe that and only bought 1+ yards :D

If it's a strong novelty type print, 1/2 yard unless I love it, then 1 yard. If it's a blender/can go with more things (flowers, basic shapes, etc), 1 yard. I try to keep it at 1 yard or under - gets expensive quickly!

I USED to be a quarter of a yard person, but no more. I have loads of variety but not enough of anything to start a real nice project. Well, actually that was earlier this year. I have started buying 2 yards of anything I like. I figure that if I start something that needs a few different colors, I should have enough to make it fairly large.

When I first started quilting and Simply quilts was still on TV, I watched a show that asked that same question. She said that a good rule of thumb is at least 3 yrds. So have been buying at least 3 yrds. Sometimes if I really like it or it is a little over at the end of the bolt I will buy a little more. But to just put in stash because I like it but have no project in mind, 3. Hope this helps.

Rita

I shop like SharonC. :D The only difference is I will buy a fq of batik for future scrappy. I am a batik junkie.

If I really like it I buy 3-5 yards. The rest 1-2 yards. That usually works for me. I really love big floral prints and the other day at the fabric store my 6 year old grand daughter was with her mom while I look. She yelled from two aisles over "Over here grandma. I found the flowered ones you like. Hurry before someone else buys them. " Even she knows what I like. I bought three yards of it because that was what was left on the bolt.

I'm just starting out so I don't have a stash to speak of...initially I bought a bunch of FQs just so I'd have a variety for a scrappy lap quilt for my MIL...but now have a couple of pieces that are over a yard...not much else tho...YET!! :wink:

It depends, is it on sale? If on sale, then buy several yards...you can use for a project and then for scrappy quilt!
I do buy FQ's, but when I see quality fabric at a great sale price, then buy at least 2 yds...you can use for projects, or backing for small wall hangings. 1 yd may not be enough, especially if you plan on a few scrappy quilt projects....I usually buy at least 2 yds of 'sale' fabric.
Kindes Regards,
MaryAnna

Good point that the rules go out the window with sales :D

When it is a fabric that I really like I never buy less than 3 yards and usually more. :oops: If it is something that I kinda like, I buy at least a fat quarter to throw into a scrap quilt! I mean, you can never have enough fabric or enough variety. And as far as our DH's are concerned, it is better for their health and mental wellbeing if they DON'T know how much we have in our stashes :!: :!:

If it is a focus fabric, I always buy 3.5 yards so I can make one piece borders, and use the remaining in any blocks I decide to use.

If it is a complimentary fabric with a design I like, I tend to get 2 yards.

If it is a great backing fabric and on sale, then I buy six yards.

Because I make many patriotic themed quilts, I usually tend to stick to that type of fabric when I see it on sale. However, I am "accidentally" buidling and very large stash of gorgeous oriental fabric, and I hate the thoughts of cutting it!! No design in mind yet, but lots of thoughts, and plenty of fabric to work with! Most are three yard pieces.

I tend to keep my quilts to between three to four fabrics, so and I keep small swatches in my car in a plastic bag so that I always have a sample available when shopping.

Diane

I have been buying just what I need to complete a project. I'm slowly working to get a stash and I'm trying to collect Civil War Reproduction fabrics. I can't find them in town but once a month I've been visiting a quilt shop not too far away that has them and I buy "one-yard cuts" of a few that I like. I figure by the time I get through with some other commitments that I'll have enough to do a couple of nice scrappy type quilts just for me!

Momosews, I love the way you think. Yes, you can never have too much fabric. I generally buy a yard if I see something that really catches my eye. I also try to think of what color group I'm getting short supply of. My have about 14 bins and supposedly (that's the original plan) they are grouped in colors. Lately I'm getting low on creams and tans, so you know what that means?

when I started quilting years ago, I would buy fabric because I liked it and someday I would make something, well quess what, I still have fabric not used and no longer care for as much. I plan on going thru and putting all the stuff in a box that I no longer like and will use it for charity quilts , someone will be happy. now I buy only 1 yard or 1/2 yard even if its calling me!!!

Great Question Lissy!!! I have often wondered the same thing!! :shock: I know it seems that we can never have enough fabric...but I want to have enough at any given time that I am ready to use it...and/or I don't want to pass up that great deal or wonderful fabric I fell in love with but have no idea what to do with it! However, I also have a budget?

Thanks for everyones posts!!!

Yes, that is true our stashes can get overwhelming and buying 1yd or less makes sense; however, I've run into this problem....when finally putting together the quilt, most borders, inner and outer, require at least 1.5 yds of fabric, so then you won't have enough to do a continuous border. While I love scrappy borders, depending on the quilt, sometimes you need 1 fabric for the border; otherwise it's too scrappy. Now that your fabric is no longer available at the stores, you have to search online and sometimes that can be pricey.
So if you can, purchase at least 1.5 yds of fabric that would be great for borders. And if you find a great sale, that's when to buy the backing fabric.
If you've got an outrageous stash, go to www.quiltville.com, Bonnie's got some great scrappy quilts that will use up any stash.
Kind Regards,
MaryAnna

If I like it some, I buy two yards. If I like it a lot, I buy three yards. If I really, really like it, I buy four yards.

I am working up to making an Irish Chain--either double or triple. Does anyone know the yardages for either, with 2 colors, for a double bed?
Also, has anyone ever made a Log Cabin to cover just the top, and made borders for the sides and ends? If so, did you like it better or worse than all Log Cabin?
Have a great day!
Marta
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I always buy 3 - 4 yard of background material - almost every quilt has a background. Of a patterned material? I buy anywhere from 1 - 3 yards. Blending material? Probably 1/2 - 3 yards. Sometimes I buy just a fat quarter to add to my collection. :D

well, here is my own formula: If I think it would make a good outer border? I buy three yards for a full size/queen bed. That's bc I like to cut my borders on one piece with the selvedge. It doesn't stretch as much and if I didn't pay that much to the direction of the print, this saves me from finding out, later that crossgrain might not look as good.
I also have some left to use in center or on the backing or other borders.
If it's going to be for a lap, I buy two yards.
If it's going to be with other fabrics in the center, depending on how much I like it, I will buy one to two yards.
I'd much rather have too much than not enough.
Occasionally I buy for blocks to mail or a very small project. Then I buy at least 1/4 - 1/3 yard. I have on occasion liked these pieces so much, I wish I had gotten more. Can't have it all, can we???
FRom the looks of my stash, I must be trying, lol. :wink:

BTW: I lean towards samplers and quilts with lots of different colors or fabrics. If I was making a quilt with mostly the same blocks, I would probably buy at least 4 yards for the center background, or MAIN fabric.
Maybe even more, depending on size.
The average queen size quilt needs 8 1/2 yards for the backing, so, the front, center needs 4-6, maybe more for a repeat block, esp. if you also put it in outer border or binding.

That's what I'm sreamin!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

If you are fairly new to quilting you might be more select for a while until you really get a sense of what you really like. Your taste may change over time. Mine did and I have a lot of stash I am donating. I also found I bought some fabric was just hard to work with in a given project.

I do a lot of scrapy so if I do see a fabric I really love I will buy more than 1 yard. I learned the hard way that some fabric you have a hard time finding again.
The other consideration is whether you are close to a Quilt Store or a fabric store.
Good Luck!

I had 3 yards of each for a double irish chain I am working on. I ran out of the medium and the light fabrics. Hopefully there will still be some left at the quilt shop.

I buy 3 yards usually. Reason - I have an unfinished quilt that I cannot find the same piece I started with. When I was new to quilting, everyone told me not to choose a border fabric until the center of the top was done. When the center was finished, my DD decided she wanted one of the fabrics in the pattern for the border - and it is not available any longer. :cry:

So, live and learn.

My DH thinks 3 yards is a minimum cut. :lol: I'm not telling!