Shop with your heart! Buy what you just LOVE first!

Then go for the basics, whites, blacks, other solids and blenders.

I have a decent stash (although not nearly as large as some of the pics I've seen here), but I need more neutrals, so I'd suggest buying lots of those.

I buy what catches my eye. But when I started, I realized that I had all theme prints, and no backgrounds. So then I supplemented with more tone on tones, grays, blacks, and whites. The backgrounds are more often found on sale.

I have read about quilters and their stash, made comments about how I only buy material when ready to quilt, never have anything unfinished, etc, etc..... Well, I found already cut 4" squares on E-bay with free shipping. So, I got two sets of those. Then I was in Wal-Mart and was in the $2.50 a Yard section and 4 pieces of material screamed at me I just had to have. So, for one that never has a stash, I've started. I chose my material at random. It was there and so was I. I don't know if I had to go buy stash because I had to, if I would of been able to.
I didn't know how much to buy, so got 4 yard of each. Now I side step the quilt department, unless of coarse I'm called.
Rita

Same here

I wonder if our WalMart is having a sale on fabrics......it's been awhile that I haven't shopped at WalMart.

You mean you need to have a plan? Oops. I just impulse buy. Oh well.....

Last winter our Walmart did the same thing. I spent about $300 and got over $1000 worth all at either 50% or 75% off. some was even just labelled $1 a yd! Depends on what you will be making. Since I make a lot of charity baby quilts (always backed with flannel) I stocked up on flannel, childrens prints and matching "solids". I also bought batiks, reds for redwork and any fabric that I just coould not leave behind. BTW, I stopped at $300 because by then the good stuff was gone LOL.

I buy what i like. The patterns and ideas will come later. I used to have a 2 yard rule but I have bumped that up to 3 yards, more if I really love it.

go to the 50-75% off rack. every fabric store has one, and I also buy holiday, and seasonal fabric after they are over.