I cut it as I need it.

when I get large pieces I do not cut off any until I have a quilt planned and then cut a bit more than I think I will need.then I get a crap pile started for scrap quilts without messing up the big piece-so I still have options later

I usually guess how many inches I will need, make a tear a few inches more, and rip. I find it too hard to work with such large pieces.

NO, NO, NO! Don't cut it down until you are ready to use it . Have someone help you fold it, but don't chop it into pieces!

I keep larger pieces of fabric whole. You never know when you might need that fabric for backing or some other use. I've gotten fabric on sale for a backing, only to have it tell me that it wanted top billing for a top, so change of plans. I might cut off 1 -2 yards when making a quilt, but generally I like to keep it whole. Recently I received some very large pieces of fabric, but I cut off only what I needed, I started with cutting off one yard at a time for my quiting projects and it works for me.

I'm with Donnamarie. I do not enjoy handling such large pieces of fabric. I would cut off some so you have enough for lengthwise strips for borders for the largest quilt you might make. (96 - 108 ?) Then the rest can be cut WOF or any way you like as you need it.

I would "questamate" how much fabric I will need for blocks. You should be able to based on size if quilt and how much of fabric you will use in block. If unsure look on another quilt pattern. Reason for cutting down is that this much yardage is hard to handle on table especially after pressing and then refolding. Sometimes the extra yardage will not lay and will pull the area that you are cutting.

Tonya.......I have found that for me the best way to handle large pieces of fabric is to wind it on a cardboard fabric core (free for the asking at any fabric store). Makes it easy to store and easy to work from. If it is fabric that needs to be prewashed, I use a large basting machine stitch and put the ends together for washing. Much easier to handle and keeps the ends from being a major string mess. Make sense?

I don't cut down my yardage either. I store my fabrics in clear plastic bins and I have one dedicated to lengths that are at least 3 yards long. Oh I dip into it for projects but as long as the remaining piece is at least three yards long, it goes back to the bin. If it is smaller, then it goes in another bin according to color. It the remaining piece is less than1/4 yard,I either cut it in 6" or smaller if it is truly a scrap. This all works for me. Develop a process that works for you which is what I think you are doing. Happy Quilting.

I, also, leave my fabric as is until I pull it for a quilt. One of the shelves is dedicated to storing the homongous pieces!