I generally buy fabric for a project I am working on right away. Sometimes things "jump out at me" and I will buy a yard of it.

I love working with color, it's my favorite part of quilting. I am also drawn to scrappy quilts with color/contrast themes. So when I'm going shopping, I tend to look for colors that I need for my various quilt projects. It takes time and planning to find a minimum of 40 prints for each quilt.

For instance, two of my planned quilts need to have predominately browns/creams at the request of the recipient. I have my stash stacked by color on the shelf above my computer. I can tell by glancing at the folded pieces that I need more dark browns with warm undertones instead of cool to complete the full range I would like. On one particular quilt, any secondary colors should be cool blues or purples and play a very minor role. I can tolerate a wider range of secondary colors on the other "brown" quilt.

Only after a print passes the "color" test do I consider the texture or print, and then I only consider density and shapes.

I've also learned to shop for fabrics by looking at them at a distance. Computer screens and tiny shops sometimes force us to look too closely at fabrics. I don't have a LQS anymore, so unless I buy at JoAnn's or Hancock Fabrics, I shop online. As we all know color sometimes isn't very accurate, so I end up with some rejects that are destined for a future "anything goes" scrappy quilt.

Of course, my fixation on color sometimes means that I am drawn to a cheaper quality fabric or even something that is too expensive. Usually my need for a color wins out, and I accept the risk of working with the fabric.

I work at my LQS ...which is kind of a problem because....my criteria is usually ..is it new? is it in my colors? How woudl I use it?
I am really trying to get better because this could be a huge problem for storage in my house...so I am waiting and sometimes if there is a fabric I like..and I keep admiring it without having purchased any.....and the last of it is on teh shelves I may buy it so that I don't regret itlater...but I am really trying to wait to buy things unless I have a specific project for it because I am getting to many piles of fabric...oh did I just say that?

Does it catch my eye is #1 for me, Then if I am just buy8ing for my stash, is it something that can have several different pieces go with it. Also, i "try" to keep my self on a monthly budget.And I have to like the feel of it.

I, too, can spend lots of time looking for fabric for a certain project. However, there have been times when I've been shopping and a certain piece has screamed at me and I know exactly where/how I'm going to use it....so, either way, I've got fabric!

My criteria, after finding a fabric that just jumps out at me, is pretty much the same as the others. It has to be reasonably priced so I can afford it, but it also can't be thin!!!! If I pick up a fabric and I can see thru it, it isn't worth my time, effort, or money to buy! Trust me, quality matters as far as the end product is concerned.

I will go to the LQS looking for a particular fabric, usually a background fabric or something for a particular quilt, but mostly I buy what appeals to me or what I need in order to round out my stash. Most people collect a lot of medium value prints and the lights and darks are neglected. I'm guilty of this and when I go to a quilt store I try to keep this in mind. At the next shop hop around here in May I plan to concentrate on buying mostly dark, dark fabrics to build up my stash. Otherwise, I don't really have a plan.

I love the "Grab & Run" comment. :lol:

I buy fabric that jumps out at me... Some of these will probably just sit on my shelves for me to do nothing more than look and touch because it makes me happy. I have several stacks that are for future quilts, I add to them as I find them, this could take years/decades LOL. Other fabric is bought for specific quilts that I am currently working on and blenders I pick up whenever I find a good deal.

I think the hardest choice for me is how much of each to buy...I go with more is better for my longer range projects and the ones that really jump out at me. I know that when I do get around to using these, it may be impossible to find more, or I may have to pay high "ebay" prices once I do...

There is no method to my madness. I tend to shop better when I'm "in the mood" though. Unfortunately when I'm in the mood everything appeals to me. When I'm not really into it, nothing seems to appeal. What works best for me is to have a particular project and pattern in mind when I shop.

I love to buy pieces that just speak to me -- with no special intention in mind. One thing that causes me to try to go to the fabric dept. of the LQS when there are very few shopper around is this: When I see a pretty piece being cut for someone else, I find myself saying, "Cut a piece for me too." Yikes. That's dangerous.

If I like it, I must have some, BUT I will not get the cheap stuff anymore. I made a little quilt for my dog once, and after just 4 washings one fabric was ripping away from the others. I would rather pay a bit more and know that I got the good stuff.