New quilter here and my "stash" is pitiful! I'm looking at fabrics for a jelly roll quilt (my first quilt) and see such pretty fabrics. Sigh. But I have no pattern for them yet. Do I buy a jelly roll? A layer cake? A charm or honey bun? So many choices!

I think a layer cake is more suitable for putting in a stash for a later project, but what do you all think? When you have no idea what you'll do with it, what do you buy?

My friend got me some fat quarters and I made a disappearing 9 patch with them, just mix and match with light, medium and dark fabrics, have fun!

Don't buy precuts. Just buy yardage and/or fat quarters.

#1 - precuts are more expensive because somebody put more labor into cutting and packaging them. (Cutting is one of my favorite activities, but I know I don't speak for many)

#2 - what if you wanted to do something with 5" squares and a 2 1/2" strip from the same fabric? You can't do that with a jelly roll.

Maybe find one or two fabrics that coordinate with something you already have.

I am enjoying cutting the fabrics with my rotary cutter, enjoy!

Go to this site - http://www.cozycottagefabrics.com/

They specialize in strip quilts. You can get patterns and precut strips for the patterns. You'll get some easy quilting practice and a nice start on your stash.

I think all fabrics should be washed before they are sewn together -

so I avoid buying anything in strips and little pieces.

Besides, I enjoy cutting.

There are other people that LOVE LOVE LOVE the precuts.

thanks

Most jelly rolls are approx 3 1/2 yds of fabric... you can get 5 of 6 yds for that price with all of the sales going on now.:wink: and have some stash enchancement left over :D:D:D

Maybe check out fabric collections, and pick out some 1 yd cuts...they will all go nicely together. 3 from the same collection will make a nice lap quilt :D:D:D Find a fabric for the backing and binding and you will be on your way to your first quilt :D:D:D

Have fun quilting!

I got back into quilting with the purchase of Bali Pops strips. There is a good tutorial using them.