Listed below are a few guidelines that I generally adhere to when faced with the decision as to how much fabric to buy when I do not know what I am going to eventually use it for:
- If the fabric is ideally suited as the backing for a quilt, I buy approximately 3 yards for a wallhanging/crib quilt, up to 6-7 yards for a full/queen quilt.
- If the fabric is absolutely gorgeous and I simply cannot exist without this fabric in my stash, I buy a minimum of 3 yards, however, if the conditions are right (for example, if it is nearly a whole bolt and it is either on sale or I have a discount coupon), I buy the entire bolt.
- If the fabric can be used as the focus fabric in a future quilt, I buy a minimum of 3 yards.
- If the fabric can be used in borders in a future quilt, I buy a minimum of 2 yards.
- If the fabric is one that can accent a quilt (used as a “filler”), I buy a minimum of 1 yard.
- If the fabric is one that I simply know I have to have, but have no idea what (if ever!) I’ll use it for, I buy a minimum of 1 yard.
- If the fabric is one that can be used as binding, I buy a minimum of 1/2 yard.
Another important factor when finding a fabric is if it has any coordinating fabrics that go with it. If so, I usually follow the same guidelines as above, except if there are some of the coordinates that are just mediocre in appeal to me, I will usually buy a minimum of a Fat Quarter (18″ x 22″).
Hopefully, these guidelines will help you to make better fabric purchases by knowing approximately how much to buy, without knowing the why, when, or what for!
And who is to say you ever have to use it? You may just like to collect beautiful fabric. Most quilters have their own personal preference for fabrics that are considered collectible (their ‘fabric niche’, if you please); mine are batiks. I have never met a batik I did not love. Yes, I am a self-professed batikaholic and I refuse any 12-step program to rid me of my vice!
Do you have any guidelines that you would like to share with us?
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Original article first published on Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.
 quilting, fabric, quilting fabric
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April 9th, 2007 at 12:52 am
Thank you for this article, Terry. In the past I’ve only ever bought fabric intended for a specific project, but recently I’ve found myself buying fabric because it simply “spoke to me”. These guidelines will help me to build my stash with a plan… rather than gathering a bunch of 1/2 yard or 1 yard cuts that I will never be able to use for a larger project.
April 9th, 2007 at 3:24 am
I’ve learned the hard way, Val! I used to buy a lesser amount of a favorite fabric that I loved only to find myself wanting to cut into it soooooooo bad, but couldn’t because I didn’t have enough to do the job. And it seems wasted to just use it in bits and pieces here and there. Batiks are the ones that I really stick with these guidelines on. I bought a whole bolt the other day with a 50% coupon!!!! Had 10 yards on it and I thought I was in batik heaven!
April 9th, 2007 at 9:03 am
It’s only in the last month or so that I’ve found a good seller in eBay who sells bolts for wonderful prices; also 5yrd pieces.
So far I’ve been able to get only three..*S*
One of the bolts is a M. Miller batik.
Now I’m wondering if I’ll be able to use all 15yrds of the bolts. Know what? I don’t care. I like them and they were great buys.
April 9th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
LOL@Sequana! I am going to have to start watching eBay! I would never have thought about that. I love appliqueing with batiks… they have such a wonderful feel to the fabric.
April 10th, 2007 at 6:23 am
These are great ideas. I’m going to make a little chart to put in my wallet for those times when I just can’t resist another piece for my stash. Thanks so much! At the QRC we’re testing an online calculator that we’ve created that allows you to calculate each piece of yardage and then print your shopping list to take with you. It should be online in a couple of days if you’d like to test it at http://www.QuiltingResourceCenter.com.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:16 am
Jan, thanks for your teaser regarding the calculator! I’ll be watching for it and I’m off to explore your site now, too.
April 13th, 2007 at 8:18 am
OK, so now I know how much to buy - but what do I do with the yards and yards and yards of fabric that I have sitting in my sewing room? :o) Oh wait, that’s the UFO article…
April 14th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
If you are recovering dinning room or kitchen chairs 3/4 yard will be enough for 2 seats:
3/4 = 2 seats
1.5yds = 4 seats
2.25 = 6 seats
Then you just need a staple gun and you are ready to go!
April 15th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Good to know about recovering seats! I hadn’t thought about it until now, but my dining room seats should be recovered to better match my decor!
April 21st, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Also, forgot to add that if the cushion/foam and fabric is ok on the seats just cover right over what is there. If the old chair cover has a rip you must take it off otherwise the new fabric will have a problem in the same spot.
Have fun!!1