Fabric buying question?

So pretend that you find some fabric that you LOVE but you aren't sure what you would like to make with it. How much of it do you buy? Or do you wait until you have a project specificly in mind to buy that amount? It's a newbie question, I know. Thanks for your responses!

I'm all over the place when it comes to buying fabric.  I guess it really depends on what you sew a lot.  Do you make your own clothes?  If so, then I would buy about 4 yards...maybe more.  Do you sew children's clothing?  Then, you could probably get away with adding a yard or two to your stash.  Do you sew bags?  Then, a yard would probably be good.  If you truly love it, buy as much as you think you could possibly use.  But, I'm a bad influence.  I find it hard to say no to certain fabrics or lines.  I'm always grabbing something and adding it to my stash.  Sometimes, I buy with a project in mind and sometimes...I don't. 

It's is so funny you mention this subject. I was shopping yesterday, found some really cute fabric that I have no idea what I'll do with. It was white cotton with navy blue sketchy roses printed all over; AND, it was only $2 on clearance. In this case, you just go to the cutting counter, and say, "I'll take whatever is left on the bolt"! I figure, even if I use it for practice muslins that may end up being wearale, I'll love them. BTW, it turned out to be 7 yds

You sound like my kind of girl 

Fabric in Australia seems to be heaps more expensive than fabric in the states. =(  For this reason, I have to be really selective about what I buy and what I make. As a beginning sewer it's quite rough. For example, some of the weeplay fabrics that are ~$10/yd in the US are $6-7 per fat quarter over here. That makes it $24-28/yd. Ouch!!!

When it's on sale, I buy heaps... if it's on clearance under $5, I stock up for practice pieces. I'm still very much a beginning as you can see from my blog at http://badskirt.blogspot.com   If I love it, it comes home and it sits in a box until I'm ready. It seems that I tend to underbuy though, because I never have enough on the day!

I've put in my first order from Sew Mama Sew because even with the shipping, it saves me heaps! I can't wait to get it.

My advice, think about what you might make with it and how many you might make... they buy a yard or two extra!

The answer, for me, depends on the price of the fabric. If it's a good deal, I'll buy a four or five yards so I can use it for a backing on a baby or throw-sized quilt and as a part of another quilt. If it's expensive, but I love it, I'll usually try to restrain myself and buy only a yard.

It really does depend on the fabric and price. I try not to buy anything without having at least an idea of what I'm going to make with it. I really try to avoid being a fabric collector. If it's for my daughter, I'll buy maybe 1-1.5 yards. For me, two yards. If I can't "see" what I would do with it, then I wait. There will always be more cute fabric to fall in love with and sew up.

My default amount is 2 yards.  But, if I really love the fabric, I'll buy more   Price and location makes a difference, too.  If it's fabric I can't normally get my hands on, I'll buy extra.