If the same fabric is available in pre-cuts & yardage, I typically buy yardage. I do a lot of appliqued baby quilts & like to use many different fabrics. Sometimes I can find what I need & just buy 1/4 or at one LQS evey 1/8 yd cuts. Other times, they just don't have as much to choose from on bolts, so I'll buy pre-cuts. However, as others have said, pre-cuts can really be hit-or-miss. I like Fat 16ths (9x11) but I've had some that were as small as 7.25x10.125" before trying to straighten them so I generally find it more economical to buy as much from yardage as I can.