Ok I'm a collector at this point, working on becoming a begining quilter. Since I've found this wonderful site, with amazing people and ideas, I'm ready to make the jump from fat 1/4's to yardage! Just how many yards do you buy if you see a fabric you like, that is a great deal, but don't have a spacific quilt pattern in mind?

Usually 2 yards minimum. If I really like it and the pocketbook stretches that far I'll get 5-7 especially if I think I might want to use it for backing.

I started getting just one yard of each just to get my stash going..( i like scrappy quilts so lil amounts worked well for me) however if I LIKE it I get 3-5 yds and If I LOVE it I get 8-10 yds.. Neutrals I buy more on the love side since they are used more often..

I often buy by the bolt. If I really like the fabric I want to be sure I'd have enough for the main fabric in a quilt and maybe enough for the backing. I use alot of neutrals and blenders too. I have purchased smaller pieces as I like scrap quilts as well. OK I'll confess.....I'm addicted and I buy it all.

Welcome to the board. A word of warning, it is addicting.
I usually buy whatever I want depending on price and availability. To start a stash though I would suggest at least one yard pcs. If it is a really good sale, then 2. And once you become a regular, you willbe able to buy on this board and there are great buys offered by other members. Warning again...you will spend money on here. The 12 step programs for withdrawal do not work on this board. LOL

Welcome! That's a tough call. I usually buy 1-2 yards and sometimes that's enough and sometimes not!

At least 3 if ya love it, can look for a cordinating neutral for the back later. My opinion :)
Depends what type of projects your doing, Pick one and go your taste for certain things will more than likely change, as you go, enjoy the process ( reminding myself of this now that have one going that I'm growling at :) LOL) but will be pretty whan it's done.
Good luck and Happy Quilting, Welcome

Welcome!

I'm just scrappy at heart so my stash has mostly 1/2, 5/8 size cuts. A few fabrics are 1 yard and maybe a handful of ones I really liked and got 2 yards or so. Then I started a small collection of charms. :-)

See I have not started doing this for the same reason. I have only purchased fabric for the specific patterns that we are using in classes, etc. I have seen fabric that I really liked many times but didn't get it because I had NO idea how much to get. Luckily, I am taking so many classes, I just remember the fabric and then use it for whatever project we are doing. Have fun shopping!!

I usually get 1 to 2 yards depending on the budget I am working with that week. I also love fat quarters when they are on sale. I have made some really cute bags out of fats and charm paks.

Fabric is expensive here. I buy 2 yards if I like it. Yellow Brick Road is a great pattern for using fat quarters.

I agree with all of the above but the overriding thing is what your budget will allow. Have fun. I am new at this as well and I am having so much fun finding fabrics and if I really love the fabric I will buy as much as I can afford at the time.
Joan

I learned a long time ago to always purchase more fabric than what the pattern says, since I make mistakes. That way I don't have to worry about getting more if the mistake is a biggie cutting wise.

My mother always said to buy 2 yards of a fabric so that's what I do if I like it. If it is a blender, I try to buy 4 yards or so. Blenders are worth gold in my house. I have lots of prints and not enough blenders to make them play together nicely.

I guess I'm "doomed" to be a scrap quilter only. I can't bring myself to buy more than one yard at a time and usually remnants. I just looked at a block pattern I LOVE (marcia Hohn) but it's a two-color and for a queen I'd need 6 1/2 and 7 1/2 yards respectively. I can't possibly do that; I would freak at the cutting counter!

2 yard min. But will take whatever they have. Just love it and buy it. It always looks good just sitting there waiting to be picked for the next project. Sounds silly but when I open my fabric cabinets I imagine that they are all screaming "OH pick me". Yep they call me crazy.

some quilt shops will give you 25% off the rest of the bolt. it will do you well if you know there is at least two yards left.

Nothing wrong with being a scrap quilter. 6 1/2 and 7 1/2? Wow, that's seems like a lot of fabric, even for a queen size. But I'm kind of new at the yardage thing. (I do scraps, too.)

I usually buy a yard, two if I can afford it. Then I make a quilt using coordinating fabric(s).

I am new to quilting but sewed for many years. I usually get 1 to 2 yards, depending on my budget. I still have a hard time buying more than 2 yards. I think it is because the patterns I made (clothing) seldom called for more than 2 yards and I became conditioned to that amount.

And a quick question. What is considered a blender fabric?

Debbie is right. The 12 step program doesn't work here. Nobody will allow it hahaha :D

I buy 2 and if it really sings to me(and I have the money), I buy 3 or 4 yards.

Do they actually measure the whole bolt out for you? Or do they have a set price?

I usually buy 2-3 yds., but will buy more if I really love it and I have the money. I do have a lot of 1yd. pieces and remnants because I like to do scrappy quilts. Buy what you want and CAN AFFORD at the time.

I usually buy 1 metre and heaps of 6 inch squares, lol yep in Australia I am, and a metre is a bit more than yours.
My motto is if you like it and have the money go for it.
Heather.

I usually buy at least 2 yards but if it will be a backing, enough to make the back (5-6). Sometimes, whatever the size remnant.

Blenders fabric are the "solid" colors you need between the focus or busier fabric prints for a rest. And I "quote" solid, because I rarely buy solids. I get the tone on tone fabric that looks solid in a distance.

If it is something that I really like, I buy at least 3 yards, sometimes more. I'd rather have some left over than to try to find it.

I buy two yards if I like it. 3-4 if I love it. And if it shouts to me across the fabric store 5-7.

I usually buy a yard if I'm just thinking I could use it but can't think how just yet. But if I can think, at that moment, of how I'll be using it, I buy as much as I think I'll need. A lot of times, if it's on sale, and I really, really like it I'll buy a lot. Maybe whatever is left on the bolt, or maybe 3 or 4 yards.
Does this make sense to anyone but me?

When I started quilting (not that long ago, I might add), I usually bought a yard of fabric.

The longer I quilt, though, the more I purchase.

Now, two yards is usually my choice. It is awful to run out of a particular fabric and not be able to find it anywhere...... :cry:

(and if I really like a fabric design, color, etc, I may just use it in another project, too......)

I buy with charity quilts in mind so I usually get a yard and a half (our quilts are about 40"x50") for backing, or 3 yards if it is a cute kid print or that hard-to-find male print. We use fleece for backing on some quilts and a yard and a quarter of 58-60" fleece will back a quilt.

Thank you all for your input. Like most of you I don't like the thought of "not having enough", still pretty iffy on the cutting.

ditto

3yds if I love it, more if I can afford it. I usually don't buy less than 2yds. :D:D:D

If I really LOVE the piece, I will get 2 1/2 or 3 yards. Otherwise 1/2 or 1 yard. I like quilts with several fabrics or scrappy quilts.

If I like it and know I'll use it in a quilt I'll buy three yards. If I think it will be a good backing fabric and it's a bargain price I'll buy 7 yards. If it is a fabric that has the color or design I think is fabulous and it is not on sale I will buy a fat quarter and wait for the line to be on sale.

Guess I'm the odd one... I used to buy a yard or two, but now lean towards the fat quarters! Love scrappy quilts, and the more variety, the better. Any large pieces I have, I tire of before they are done.

I like this subject. I will be moving soon to a Senior Complex Apartment. Moving fabric is a never ending job. For years, I have tossed my scraps in a box or have cut them into 5.5 inch squares. I probably have 25 lbs of just those squares. So started going through my scrap stash.
What a job! I'm almost finished cutting different shapes and sizes and leaving the itsy-bitsy pieces for the trash. I learned a lesson when doing that. Don't ever look at that tiny strip or scrap. It will eat your heart out to throw it in the trash. BOO HOO!

If i like it i buy 2 yrd and i agree with Debbie it is very additive here, be prepared lol

I buy 3-5 then I have enough for a border and binding if I need it.