adriansmom

My only advice to you is if you do buy a stash, buy at least 1yd cuts and make sure you also get some coordinating fabric. My mom is my best example. She is the kind of person that buys any fabric that catches her fancy. It just calls to her. needless to say she has a huge amount of fabric. her problem was that when she wanted to use it, she never seemed to have a coordinating fabric to use in her project. Of course that meant a trip to the quilt shop (she didn't mind that) but it could get expensive in the long run and if you don't have a lot of rooom, storage becomes an issue. I myself usually only buy what I need when I need it, but that is because I have no room. I have been known to buy just for the heck of it though! I hope that helps. I am sure you will get some great advice on here.

eparys

I have only been working on a stash for a couple of years. I have a mix of yardage and FQs. Here is what I have done and so far is working for me.

Neutrals and Holidays fabric - I purchase 1-3 yards of stuff I like or that I think I would use such as white on white. beige, soft tonals and prints that "call" my name.

I also have bought some FQs - but did that when the local shop had their FQ frenzy. I now have a small stash. I am using my FQs for applique right now but even at that I have had to go out and purchase specific fabric for items on the most recent project.

Another way to get a neat assortment is to participate in a FQ exchange. When I do this, I purchase yardage and cut my own FQs - then I hold on to at least 1/2 to 1 yard of something that I might use as a background, staple or focus fabric and send off the rest.

pocoellie

I always buy yardage, very occasionally a fat quarter, no jelly rolls, layer cakes, etc., for me.LOL

BellaBoo

I buy lots of fat quarters and layer cakes for focus fabric. When I find a fabric that will be a great background fabric I buy at least 3 yards. For backing I buy at least 7 yards.

thismomquilts

I agree with just about all the comments here so far. Be very, very careful - it CAN be addicitive. It is rare that I leave a quilt store without purchasing something - even though I have gotten MUCH better - three times recently - no purchase!! :). Fat quarters are nice to have as fillers. 1 - 1 1/2 yards should be the minimum when the fabric just HAS to be purchased - there will be those times. I have had so much fabric donated to me and purchased that I was able to make four quilts without purchasing an inch of fabric - and I could probably do that again two more times at least - may be a bit sad... Now that I am not working I plan on asking for gift certificates for quilt stores/JoAnn's for any and all occassions. Why not? It will keep me from spending other times and still have a nice gift.

omak

Let me try this again <g>
I have a huge stash, some of it has been donated, some has been given from estate leftovers ... and most of it has come from my "checking out" what was new in the Local Quilt Store ...
One of my friends says that when she goes out of town, as in shop hops, she buys the sales fabrics that are in the neutral range.
Personally, the background fabric is the last thing I have ever thought of, consequently, my "stash" (which is more like a second fabric store - - I am NOT bragging - - I am admitting to be out of control!)
my stash lacks two things - - neutrals and solids!
Perhaps if I had had that one tip ... buy a coordinating fabric ... my stash would be more useful.
On the other hand <g> my scrap quilts most definitely reflect my frenetic buying habits ...
I want you to enjoy quilting, and buying fabrics is part of the fun ... gets the creative joices flowing, but you are wise to have a plan as you start or you will have lots of fabric and STILL have need for more, as others have mentioned.
The idea of joining swaps of either fabric or block swaps or any of the many swaps on this site will further grow your stash ... simply because the swaps give you a target to buy toward.
And, don't forget that you have a quilting personality ... there are just some blocks or styles to which are you drawn ... there may be a holiday or celebration you participate in (mine is Fourth of July and Christmas) ... with those criteria in mind, you would purchase toward that color way.

MNQuilter

I am like you in that I only buy fabric for a specific project at this point. I am really not good at calculating how much fabric I will need so I end up buying a lot more than I probably need and voila! stash! I think if I lived further from shops, I might be more likely to buy just because I like it but there are like 3 LQS, a Joanns, 2 Walmarts and a fabric outlet all within 10 miles of me. If one doesn't have something, one of the others will.

Scissor Queen

Actually I think you're a lot more likely to save money buying for stash. If you buy just for your current project what you need isn't likely to be on sale. If you're buying stash you can buy sale fabrics.

It's a lot like buying a wardrobe, you want to get things that go with the things you already have. If you find a great floral on sale then look for the blenders and zingers on sale the next time you're shopping. Pretty soon you have enough fabric to make nearly any quilt from mostly sale fabric.

Luv2Kreate

Thanks for the replies. I think they are all great answers. I will take them all into consideration :) I don't plan on creating a HUGE over the top stash, but there are time I see fabrics that I just LOVE and don't buy at the time (thinking I will come back when I have a project to do with them) only to come back and find that the fabric is gone...Those are the fabrics I would like to buy for my stash. I think the answers here have given me a pretty good idea how to do it...THANKS!

bearisgray

Some fabrics seem to have very limited runs - Alexander Henry and Michael Miller are two lines that come to mind.

If you see one of them that you really love, by all means get it while it's available.

You may or may not ever see it anywhere again.

The suggestion to get a coordinating fabric with the one that's bewitching you is an excellent one.

Fabrics "on sale" are my downfall. Full price LQS fabrics - I have LOTS of self control with them.