When you buy fabric how much do you buy?

I was wondering this as when you buy fabric do you have a specific project in mind (of course you buy what calls for on the pattern)

or do you just buy the fabric, because you like it and will use in sometime in the future for projects???

I have been surfing the internet to find answers about this, so I thought I would ask here on the board for our members to answer.

Craftybear

Also do you like buying fat quarters?

Do you also buy the specialty cuts?

charmpacks
jelly rolls
layer cakes
honey buns
turnovers
fat eighth bundles
dessert rolls
twice the charms
bali pops
jolly packs
combination of cuts

this is a link to describe the different specialty cuts (so much to learn)

http://www.fatquartershop.com/guide-and-glossary.asp

Over time I have found that I like to buy one yard at a time. That way I'm not anxious about cutting into it (for fear it will be gone and I'll never have any more of it!).

I find that I do not use the fat quarters I have purchased. It always seems like there is not enough of any one fabric to act as a focus for a quilt.

I have occasionally purchased 3 to 5 yards of a fabric that I think I might want to use as a border; however, I have rarely used them so have stopped doing that. It works better for me to shop for border fabric after the quilt is pieced.

Once in awhile, if a fabric seems awfully expensive or something I won't use much of -- such as a pop of yellow or orange -- I'll buy only half a yard. Once in awhile, if I really like a fabric, I'll buy two yards of it.

I try not to go shopping for fabric anymore, because I have so much in my stash already! For the last few years, the only fabrics I have purchased have been batiks. I gave away a lot of the JoAnn Fabrics type calicos I bought years ago when I started quilting. My tastes have changed a lot over time!

I am a bit of an impulse buyer, buy something just in case I need it. If I have a project in mind I buy what I need but if I see something I love, especially with roses, I have to have it and I just want to look at it and put it away again. I hate cutting into it unless it is for something extra special. I guess I am a collector.

If I'm out fabric shopping( like when am I not) I purchase at least one yard if I don't have a project planned. Most of the time I have some idea what I will use it for, but I would much rather have too much fabric(no such thing) then to start a project and run short. I used to buy fat qts but would rather have yardage( the more the merrier). Happy to make scrappy quilts.

If I am just buying fabric because I like it, I buy 1 yd. cuts. But I usually have different projects in mind. (easier to justify) BUT, before I get that project done, I see more fabric and think of another project, so the prior goes to my stash. Sick, sick, sick! LOL

if i see a fabric i absolutely love but is expensive i will buy 1 yard...if i have an idea what to do with it i will get 2 or 3 yards...3 if it would be good for a border. once in a while i will buy a charm pack...usually because i have fabrics to go with it but need a little more variety...or it is for applique. i very seldom buy fat quarters...only for gifts, or for applique if i would have no use for yardage in that print. mostly though my purchases are for 2-3 yard cuts unless i just want a piece of that, for no purpose other than liking it.

I used to buy a lot of FQs. I was making several FQ quilts, so that worked fine. Now I seem to be buying at least 1/2 to a yard minimum. If I think I'll use it for borders, I'll get 2-3 yds.

I like charms, jelly rolls, layer cakes and turnovers. I've only used the layer cakes so far (another WIP), but have all the makings to do a pinwheel with my Moda Swanky turnovers.

at least one yard; usually 2 or 3

up to 6 if i think it will work as a "neutral" background fabric or for the back.

even more if i know i'll want to use it for more than one quilt.

I like to buy end of the bolt cuts. They tend to be about 1/2 off the regular price. I do like to buy FQ they are not as hard for me to handle when I'm cutting.