bearisgray

If there is something that you absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE! Get all you can afford when you see it. Even if you have to pay "full price" for it.

The chances are that if you think it is a wonderful fabric, others will, too.

A lot of designs seem to be available for only a very short period of time -

So - there are some fabrics that one "has to buy" - even without a project in mind.


On the other hand, new designs are being printed every day.

Dina

If I find fabric that I like, I buy it. I have sort of a rule that I will only buy the fabric if I can find two more fabrics at the same place that I like with it. The rule hasn't served me too well, but I use it as a guide line if I am not sure I love the fabric, but I would still like to have it. Basically though, if I like it and want it, I buy 2 yards. If I think it might end up being binding and a border too, I buy 3 yards.

My stash is small by many standards, but I do like being able to look at it and start a quilt without having to go shopping.

Dina

cathyvv

Charm packs are good if you are buying online. When you get the charm pack, you can view each fabric and make more informed decisions after visually inspecting and handling each fabric. Plus, you can test your stash to see if anything you already have in your personal stock will work with it. If you decide not to buy any of the fabrics, you can still use the charm pack, but you're not out of pocket for a lot of money.

I'm not a 'favorite designer' fabric buyer. Generally, if I like a fabric enough to buy it, that's what's important, not who designed it. I purchased a stash from the 1990's about a year ago and am continually amazed at how many of the fabrics work well with todays' fabrics. Alas, just as many don't! Or at least haven't yet!

Sandygirl

New collections are released 3-4 times a. Year. Unless you have a project in mind, why tie up your$$$. Too many quilters have a stash and it keeps them out of the shops. I have some fabric that I am no longer enamored with. That is a waste of $$. Less stash for me. That is my vote.

sandy

Jean in Ohio13452

I make smaller Projects like Potholders, Mug Rugs and bags for Wheelchairs and sometimes a Tote bag.. So I Buy 1 yard pieces of similar Color fabrics so I always have some Go-To Fabric Pieces... Won't tell you that I do have some Jelly Rolls and other precuts because I loved the Fabric and it was a very Good Price on Sale... LOL Just bought 3 yards of a Fabric with Horses on it from Quilt in a Day for $4.00 yard. Project for my Granddaughter.

sparkys_mom

I would recommend you give yourself time to develop. Tastes change as you start quilting. For now, just buy what you need to do a project. Doing that will, in time, give you a lot of scraps and you will find out if you like doing scrappy quilts. You might or you might not, but you'll figure that out.

There are gorgeous fabrics released every year so there will always be something new to appeal to you. Don't worry about 'missing the boat'; another will be along in no time.

AZ Jane

Buy a little more than you need for todays project will help you build. The question, is why are you building a stash? Just quilt, the stash will build itself.

Veronica

If I could have a do over, I wouldn't buy for the sake of a stash.
I would buy kits or fabric for the quilt pattern I'm ready to start.
Why you ask?
Because your taste changes.

Karamarie

If you're into making quilts, your stash will just happen. If you want to "treat" yourself once in a while - splurge. I even put gift cards to fabric stores on my Christmas wish list as my kids always want ideas as to what to get for Mom. Believe me the stash will happen! Enjoy the process.

NikkiLu

Me too!!!!! I have said that if I could start over and was a "newbie" that I would only buy precuts and kits to start out with. Once I decided that I LOVED the art of quilting then, I would maybe start a stash. Most of what I bought years ago is still in totes and I don't love the colors/style anymore.

I now LOVE batiks and bought a pattern that called for 30 fat quarters so I started buying fat quarters and then decided that I loved them so much that I then bought 1/2 yards with some bigger pieces if I found some on sale or that I really, really liked.