Jackie Spencer

Tone on tones, pin dots, I prefer the shadow plays over the marbles, solids, I prefer Bella solids by Moda, and prints that are small, medium and large, and different prints that give you texture, all in differnt colors of course. I also love to use plaids and checks.

LisaGibbs

If I had to start over I would buy more solids and blenders. I am finding I go for black a lot when looking at sashing or borders as I love the overall look. I also like white on white for backgrounds when doing applique. I guess what you are interested in quilting would be key to what you are looking for. Scrappy quilts are good for fat quarters and all the "pastry lines" (jelly rolls, cakes, etc.). I agree that scrap happens, and sometimes they are well intended quilts that just never make it to actual quilts. I separate my stash by color value so you can tell if you need more light, medium, or dark fabric.

Mainly have fun with fabrics that catch your eye and eventually you will have fabric that you love and will all work together well just waiting for that pattern you can't wait to make. This site is great for stash building with the wonderful de-stashing that goes on to make room for more new stash!

JMCDA

I think that is a person question that can be answered differently by every person you ask it of. For myself, I only like scrappy quilts and would never make a quilt with only a few coordinating fabrics so the more the better! I don't like batiks all that much so I don't buy those but I do buy lots of FQ's, layer cakes, jelly rolls and charms...and when i decide what I am going to make I then go out and buy solids or coordinating prints of similar colour for borders etc. The only fabric I would buy yardage of would be whites or tone on tone whites.

Pieces2

I think a lot depends on the type of quilts you make. And don't buy a lot of fabric at one time. Your taste and style of quilts will change over the years. Buying good quality fabric is probably most important. Solid fabrics, small prints, and a tone on tone for background fabrics are the basics.

IAmCatOwned

What are your goals? What kind of quilts do you like? Blenders are your best choice. Too many of us have collections that require the purchase of even MORE fabric to use.

Rose Marie

Buy on sale. Colors that you like best. Backing fabric as cheap as you can get it.
Fat quarters on sale at Joanns or Tuesday Morning.
Background fabrics.
Connecting Threads is one of my favorites.
Buy fabrics that can be used in multiple ways, like small prints in basic colors, marbles, batiks.

LadyElisabeth

I would start with fabrics/colors you LIKE. You are more apt to use things you like, especially when starting.

copycat

I have found that black fabric with tiny white dots is my go to fabric.
I used it for a Christmas block to look like snow falling in the night sky, as sashing to pull together very colorful blocks, as a background fabric to place scrappy pinwheels made from half square triangles from a fabric swap in our guild. I like the fact that all dot fabric is non-directional and whimsical. Have fun fabric shopping.

Sandygirl

I don't think this this is a bad approach to stash building. I regret most of my "stash" purchases because they are still sitting there....I prefer to buy fabric for a specific project and then add some extra yardage in regard to the blenders chosen. I tend to quilt with similar colors and tones so at least I have a "stash" of them for future projects. I really can't imagine stocking up a stash for a stash-sake. Having said this..IF I see a focal fabric that I love, I buy a yard or two. It probably won't be available at a future date. I also collect novelty fabric in dog prints and route 66 for that future project yet TBD. I don't know, "building" a stash takes up a lot of room and frankly, there are always wonderful fabrics and designs coming on the market so why do we have to have a large stash??? I know that I will be hitting the stores all year long anyway.
sandy

rj.neihart

My stash, when it becomes low, consists of solid colors. If I don't have solid colors of every color available, I feel like I'm going hungry. If that makes sense.