I used to do that. Now I usually ask myself first if it is something I just want or need. A lot of times what I see is something I want but not really need it. It is very hard to turn my back on a beautiful fabrics especially the ones with the bright colors.

I shop in thrift stores, but am a little bit of a fabric snob. I don't like to buy from the thrift store as I don't know how the fabric was washed, or even if they take the time to wash the fabric before I buy it.

I do have that problem at garage/ estate sales. If I see fabric at one of those I have a very hard time NOT buying anything. I feel more comfotable buying there as usually the previous owner is there and can answer questions about what I'm buying.

I have to have at least an inkling of what fabric might be used for------------or just totally knocked out by it. I bought about a quarter yard of some chicks on white denims-----for heavens knows what. Big expense. 25 cents.

I passed up about 4 yards of grey/black/white herringbone wool a while back and I'm still thinking I severely screwed up leaving it in the store.

I go to St Vincents. They sell their fabric in clear bags. I stick my fingers in to feel. If there is enough peices I can use I buy it. It usually runs $2 or #3 per bag. I use what I want and I can return the rest back to the store later for someone else.
Last week I hit the jackpot. I got 2 boxes 12x 10x 2" full of cotton 2" squares. Plus a big piece heart fabric and more I will return later. All for $2.19

I only purhcase cotton or wool. Most of my cotton comes from men's shirts. But my problem is I love wearing oversized men's cotton shirts around the house or to sleep in -- so they seldom make it to the stash. Love the plaid men's shirts and their labels. In the beginnining I removed the labels, I now leave them attached and include them in my quilts.

Don't know whether I'm classified as "picky" or not, but here's my method. 100% cotton; Dresses, blouse and men's shirts; large sizes (more fabric); fewest battern pieces (less fabric waste; and prints and stripes; Children clothing (only with licensed characters that can be used to set a theme.
Some thrift shops have plastic bags of sewing/quilting scraps. I look for bags with 100% cotton; large scraps, and interesting prints. I stay away from bags with poly, satin, or other fabics rarely used in quilts.
Am I "picky".
One more thing, I always visit these places before I hit Walmart, JoAnn, Hancock, etc. I could quilt the rest of my life and never use the stash I have, but I keep buying. Being 70 years old and the mother of 4 sons, I've made it clear that #3 inherits contents of quilt room. Since I've been disabled, he drives me all over and he'l learned so much about fabric that I even trust him to go get "fat Quarters", colored batiks, 30s repos, Civil War repos, etc. He helps me spray baste my quilt sandwiches, etc. but he draws the line at siting down at the machine LOL. I haven't given up hope though. Each of my sons have their own special place in my life and heart, but every mother should have one of these.

Picky? No! I shop the thrift stores for sheets and tablecloths, books, teapots and VCR's and never walk out empty handed. I get more fabric in one sheet than in 5 men's shirts and it all matches ----- use them for backings ----- and each sheet costs me a grand total of $1.50. Some of the fabric is cotton/poly and it wears like iron and is no problem handquilting. I'm always amazed at the brand new items that people simply throw away ......... unbelievable! The one thing that I do is to donate a large trash bag stuffed full of goodies on each day that I go "treasure hunting" ...... makes DH happy that way.

I've really toned down my bargain fabric shopping. I don't have any thrift stores around me that have fabric.
I keep an eye out at garage sales, rummage sales and such, .

Since I make quilts for children and soldiers, if I find something that is good for either I'll pick it up only if I know it will match something I have at home or there is enough to do a complete quilt top. Or if it's enough for a back. If it's patiotic fabric I pick it all up. If it's good quality. If it's only one fabric that I'm not sure what I'd do with it I most likely won't pick it up.

I have such a stash that I haven't decided to use clothes in my quilts yet. Maybe once I run out and fabric prices stay high I may go down that road.

It is getting harder to find fabric at the thrift stores in my area. The early bird gets the fabric and I am not a early bird!

I am not picky! And proud of it I will buy any cheap bargain. Cause I have little stash. Works for me. I love finishing blocks already done. Great find!!