If I can' I but it because It won't be there long. They usually make on run and that's it.When it's gone it's gone.

Seems like some fabric lines have shorter runs than others.

Alexander Henry comes to mind.

When I see something I love it buy it. Someday it will be a quilt.

I have troubles with this. I know a fabric line won't be around but for one, maybe two seasons and then it's gone. So if I love it I know I should buy it, but I can never decide how much I'm supposed to buy when I have no project in mind. I'm sure as I become a more experienced quilter I will understand what I typically need for different projects. I just don't have that knowledge yet! :)

It doesn't matter how much you buy or how experienced you are -

One buys too much of something one doesn't need and not enough of one that one wants to use sometime in the future.

Twice now, I've been able to find a fabric online somewhere and been able to order more for a project. This doesn't always work tho, especially if it's been 6 months since you bought it in the first place. Some fabrics have shorter lifespans than others.

Truer words were never spoken! :D :D :D

In some ways I think fabric that one intends to make quilts from is more difficult to determine the amt. Now if I'm making a shirt for hubby, I know it will take at least 3 yrds of 45". If it's denim, and the price is great I'll take the whole bolt.

If I get good fabric for regular sewing, I can use the scraps for quilts...

I, too, as a novice quilter have had this problem, just buying a little of something that I liked, with no particular plan for the fabric. What I have found is that when I find a pattern that I would like to stitch, I never have enough of the required fabric amounts of any of the fabrics. What I have learned to do, is if I really like it, I purchase 2 1/2 to 3 yards so that it can be used in a future quilt. (although all of those 1/4 and half yard pieces do work into a scrap quilt today...so all is not lost! I live and learn! Andy

I'm a Batik kind of gal and yesterday while I was in my quilting class the teacher told us they had Batik's on sale and just got 6 new fabrics in. She was getting some cut for her and I told her to have them cut me some too...without looking I might add. If it's Batik and on sale...I'm in!!! And the fabric was gorgeous I might add.