The 8 yards was $5.00 a yard, which was just too good to turn down. I found a print yesterday at Primitive Gatherings that was absolutely gorgeous, but at $9.95 per yard and with no project in mind, sanity thank goodness, won out. Take a look at Favorite Fabrics, they have the most beautiful fabrics and a selection that seems to go on forever. Also their prices are very reasonable, personnel are terrific and they ship promptly and their shipping rates are quite reasonable.

I used to go to AA with a friend and OA (Overeaters An.) so I at least know the 12 Steps. But I haven't even tried to apply the steps to my fabric addiction. HaHa Fabric is so much more fun then food or alcohol plus it lasts forever not just a day or night.

I always buy 2 yards at a time of a new fabric. That way no matter what I decide to use it for there's plenty of fabric. I've never seen the sense in buying fat quarters...expensive and not much to work with! :D

I buy a yard if I like it. Two if I love it.

Depends on the price. If I find a really good sale at the LQS, I've been known to come home with 6 yards, especially if I think it will make background for an applique quilt. Usually buy at least a half yard if I like the fabric.

I usually buy 3 yds. but if the bolt is low and the fabric is inexpensive and I know it is something I could use as a backing where I would need more, I buy what's left on the bolt. And I ask for the empty bolt so I can put it back on for storing.

I buy 3 to 5 yards, usually 4 unless my quilting buddy, the other Mary, is with me. Mary and I were co-workers and I am teaching her to quilt. We love to go on "road trips" and she is soooo bad for my checkbook!!!! I end up buying way more than I should.........

I agree with you and always make sure to cut out your borders and focus fabrics first and use what's left. This way you won't be kicking yourself at the end when your missing 2" and can't find the fabric any more.

Happy buying & quilting
Andie :D :D :D

Depends on how much it costs. If it's less than $5, I will probably buy at least a yard. If it is regular quilt-shop price, I will probably buy half a yard or a fat quarter, if I just love it but don't have any particular project in mind. I like scrappy, so it will be used, and I don't have a huge investment.

I sort of "collect" fabrics. I would like to buy more, but realistically, I am not going to be able to make a whole big quilt out of every fabric I love, and I have limited budget and storage space. I love charm packs for this reason.

Part of the reason I like scrappy quilts is because I can use and "display" a lot of different fabrics that I like, all at the same time.

I usually buy at least 2 yards but if could be borders buy 3 if on sale may buy rest of the bolt. especially if it is a blender, batik or fusions.

I do not buy a lot of fabric because so much is give to me. But I would love to meet you because I live in Tucson to

I generally purchase at least 2 yards and according to what I think I might do with it, 3 Yards.

I buy a metre of the focus fabric and any amount less than that for the coordinating fabrics - usually half a metre for the next one, and the others are in 20cm lots. I worry about the borders after I've made the blocks, so that I can find the best coordinating fabric - or sometimes I make borders from the scraps.

1 to 3 yards depends on how much i like it !!!!

That's what I do with almost all fabrics that I buy. The only time I buy less if I really don't like the color that someone wants in their quilt. Then I buy just a bit more then what is needed.

Oh i buy at least 3 yards, if not more, I have been know to buy a whole bolt of fab., if i like it, lol

i wish i had read this about a year ago.....i had had the fabric so long i didn't even remember where i got it... the quilt was ok, but not what i had envisioned.

i love fat quarters, i love the scrappy quilts the best, and i get a lot more variety that way...and they are a lot like the candy bars at the check out @ the market, a few alway seem to jump into my cart, all by themselves...

that being said, last weekend we went on our shop hop, and i picked up a few 3 & 4 yd pcs... all for a particular quilt and on my list, but the fat quarters still hopped into the stack @ check out!

I buy one, I really should buy more, but I'm such a frugal person it's silly.

I really need more then one yard, especially if I'm going to do borders.

I never buy fabric unless I absolutely love it and never less than 3 yards.

If I really love it I buy 5 yards just in case I need it for a large project in the future. Guess that's why I have so much fabric in my stash.

Patricia, your fabric is beautiful. I would have bought it too.

Ok I am brand new to quilting. What is focus fabric? Is that the fabric that goes between the blockS?That is what I am thinking anyway?

Focus fabric is the fabric you build your quilt around. Then you pick other fabrics, lights and darks, to go with it in your blocks, and if you want to put strips of fabrics between the blocks that is called sashing.

Instructor for my first quilt class said to buy 3 yards of a fabric so you would have enough for a future quilt as the focus fabric and border. I try to get 3.5 in case of cutting mistakes and to have enough for binding.

Creams and off whites are what I use the most as lights or background fabrics, so if I find some I like on sale I try to buy at least 5 to 6 yards, enough for 2 quilts. May in Jersey

I buy 3 yards, u nless I am really in love with the fabric. Then, I might buy 6 yards! :roll:

Years ago when I learned to quilt my instructor, ruthie miller, told us how to buy fabric. I hope I quote her correctly. "If you see a fabric you like, buy a yard. If you see a fabric that's calling your name everywhere you go in the shop, buy 3 yards. If you see a fabric that makes you want to rip off your clothes and wrap up in it, buy at least 5 yards."

A word to the wise about impulse buying a single fabric, however. I have a ton of fabric, most of which has nothing to go with it because every year the industry changes the shade of teal, or fucia, or purple, etc. I did a lot of 'spontaneous' buying in my early days. My husband says I'll never live long enough to use it all up!

However, I have now fallen in love with making handbags and those onetime 'useless' one yard cuts are going to make some gorgeous 'designer original' bags that cannot be duplicated because THEY DON'T MAKE THAT FABRIC ANYMORE!
HA-HA-HA! I WIN AFTER-ALL.

Now that my income has been dratically cut due to my hubby's stroke at the age of 55, I only buy fabric with a project in mind ... most of the time; although I still tend to collect blacks and whites and I love fat quarters and scrap quilts.

And, my fabric 'library' gives me lots of pleasure when I take it out and look at it, even if I don't use it. (Just like hubby's DVDs!)

Peggy in Sunny Florida

I always buy 5 yds., that way I always have extra - for another quilt, etc. Because I don't buy fabric unless I love it. I'll always find use for it.

I always 'group" my fabrics with a light, medium and dark... and buy all that is left on the bolt up to 6 or 7 yards of the light, less of the medium and lesser of the dark. If I cannot match it, I leave it there.

Or if matching fabric is in the same line, I might go for more if I can "see" a possible project: Irish treble chain.

I might add to my stash if it is on sale and I am short on "browns" or "beige" or "white" or "black"; it is never short on blues or bright colors. Or I can just make up excuses and just go for more fabric....

You are a woman after my own heart; "...make up excuses and just go for more fabric." If a fabric "calls out to me" I can find a project for it more often than not. Everything in my stash at present has a purpose with the exception of a 7/8 of a yard of Puffins on cream. The little guys are just so darn cute I know I can work them into a child's gift. So many fabrics and just not enough hours in the day.

I always try to get a minimum of 3

As I read this post I'm remembering when my sister and I first started quilting seriously in the early 70's. Everything was "matchy-matchy" and we would not buy less than 10 yards of a fabric if we really liked it because the back had to match or at least coordinate with the front. Now I buy mostly fat quarters & even use them for backs on occassion. Only if I'm working with a particular pattern do I buy more than a yard or two. I just love the scrappy look!

I'm sorry but I don't quite understand what you mean build the quilt around? If you make a block and put sashing what else is there?Besides the borders and binding and backing?

That's what I generally do also. But, it's got to be a really great fabric or great deal for me to spend enough to buy 3 yards, cuz I tend to stick to name brand quilt fabrics, Moda, Debbie Mumm, etc., and love to have several different fabrics from the same line. Do the same with batiks - fat quarters or 1/2 yards, unless I'm planning a sashing, border or backing.

Essentially, she is telling you that the "blocks" which you applique or use as background are your "focus fabric". Generally you want it to be a neutral color. I tend to use white on white. white on cream or white on light beige in my blocks. You want it to be neutral in order to bring out the color in your quilt, along with the sashing and borders. If you are doing piecing, then you don't need to worry about the blocks, but will probably need a focus fabric as a framework behind it. The quilt in my profile pic has a muslin focus fabric if that helps you.

SO in other words the focus fabric is the fabric you make the blocks out of? I use white when I am doing embroidery on a wall hanging or table runner.I have yet to make a quilt or throw.I di just recieve my Christmas present in the mail today the Accuquilt Go.SO I am ready to start trying to make some quilts.

Thanks for the quick reply :thumbup:

If I can afford it I buy from 3to 5 meters otherwise I buy 2 meters. but if it is up to $24 a meter I only but 1/2.

I buy 3 yards. That way if a customer picks a 2-color quilt pattern, I will have enough to make the quilt. Or, you can cut it up the side for a pretty border. There are a lot of things you can do with 3 yards.

If I can fit it in my fabric budget I always buy 3 yards. The plans for the fabric aren't always clear, but if I love it then it is going home with me. Sure am glad my sewing room is downstairs 'cause I have been thinking about the lady whose stash made her floor cave in.