Gail,
Yes, normally, that is why they tell us to get multiple FQs instead of yardage for a scrappy look.
Porcelina,
If you would prefer to buy yardage instead of FQs, you can absolutely do that. Look at your patern and the fabric/color/cutting instructions and determine the best way to make the substitution. That is a pretty vague statement, but without knowing the pattern, I can't be any more specific. sorry