The real answer is:  You can never have enough!

But, most of us live in the real world.  That means we don’t have unlimited funds (no fair!) for fabric.  So when shopping we have to decide just how much fabric is enough for us and balance that with how much the checkbook can handle.  

When purchasing for a particular pattern, most designers figure for just a little extra, knowing that you will need to trim the edge to a straight line before you start cutting.   But they don’t figure for large mistakes.  If you know you don’t always follow the cutting instructions carefully, buy extra!   If you wind up being careful, and don’t make any mistakes, you’ll have some extra for your stash.  Or you could make a pillowcase with the leftovers, or a mini quilt, or a table topper or….

When participating in a quilt shop-hop, it’s fun to pick up FQs at each shop.  It’s also a good idea to really look at the FQs you are collecting.  Are they in a color that you don’t usually use?  Do you have something in your stash already you can use with them?  You may want to be sure to select FQs that can be used together, or buy yardage of a coodinating fabric. And keep your quilty friends in mind. Maybe you’ll see something you know they’ll love… a dotty choice,

a rocky one for landscape quilts,

an irressistible 30′s fabric.

And check out the selection of wide backing.  Every quilt needs a back but this usually the smallest section of fabric, so if you see something you like – get it!

Many local quilt shops carry different lines of fabric, depending on the owner’s preferences and the local clientele.  If you have driven far and see something you really like, it makes sense to buy a few yards.  Think of it as spending the gas money that you’ll save by not having to drive all the back for the fabric that you decide belatedly you just can’t live without.

At your favorite local quilt shop, it’s easy to think “if I run out, I’ll just pop back up here and get some more”, but if you do that make sure you complete your quilt in a hurry.  Who knows if the fabric you are using will be a favorite and will be gone when you return.  I’ve had that happen more than once.  Now, if I really like a fabric, I purchase twice as much as I think I’ll use.  

I have a few other personal rules:

If it’s very near the end of the bolt, I’ll go ahead and buy whatever is left.

If it’s tone on tone, I take it home.

If it’s blue, I buy two.

Black, white and red?  I go ahead!

And my rule for not buying?  If I don’t love it, I don’t buy it.  That doesn’t happen very often.

I have yet to regret buying “too much” but have definitely regretted not buying enough!  How about you?  How do you decide how much fabric you “need”?

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