I very seldom buy material to start a project, I start with one piece from my stash and just add colors to it if the yardage is big enough, I am currently making shopping bags from scraps, all I need is the width size and sometimes add a strip here or there to make it large enough , BUT sometimes I agonize for a day to make sure I like the colors I put into it are right and sometimes it just works, Besides you can get carried a way at a quilt shop and spend money you can't afford on a beautiful piece, Sometimes it takes a year to gather pieces for a special quilt , I also ask quilting friends if they have scraps in a certain color if I am making a vest, right now I need colors that will go with a black vest, A friend told me on Sunday she was cleaning out her stash, so I will get help from her , The best part I have won several times first place at the local CO Fair, and recently peoples choice at our local quilt show, so use your imagination and just do it :thumbup: