When I was doing a lot of handquilting for customers I picked up at least six yards of any good quality cotton fabric that was in the 50% off sale area. I have a decent colletion still. I also buy up any wide muslin that is on sale or where I can use a coupon. I have at least two good size boxes of various shades of white/offwhite etc. As a handquilter I prefer to piece the back as little as possible because it is just another seam to have to quilt through.