Iraxy

I buy a whole bolt of black Kona fabric. Blacks are hard to match and I like to use it a lot. I have brought a bolt of muslin, but not any pattern or design.

mengler

Years ago I went nuts and made a whole bedroom ensemble for my youngest DD. ruffled canopy cover, bedruffle, pillows and quilt. I bought a whole bolt of muslin - needed it with all the ruffles and HAND stenciled it to match the wall border. Came out great tea dyed the muslin. That was long ago when I thought I had no time....Now I know I have no time.LOL.

SewWrite

I had to buy a bolt recently, and an extra yard to boot. I was making curtains for two large windows. One bolt was 12 yards, so I bought the whole thing. I used almost every bit of it all, too, and then some more for the panel inserts I embroidered various designs.

AnnaF

In the past I have bought full or partially full bolts of fabric. We have a salvage store locally that carries fabrics and the prices USED to be very reasonable but in the past year the quality has gone down as the prices have risen so I no longer buy bolts but when I did I usually knew I could use it in a quilt and have the rest for a backing. I've often purchased a bolt of white on white as that always comes in handy for a number of projects as background fabric.

BETTY62

If I see a fabric I really love but do not have a specific project in mind I will buy the bolt to make sure that I will have enough fabric to make whatever later down the road. As we all know, it's often not easy to find the same fabric again several months later if you should come up short or just flat screw up when cutting out your design. I can always use the left over fabric for pillow cases to match a quilt or swap it with a friend for another fabric. I know it's expensive and may seem wasteful to outher but to me it's sort of like insurance. And, it's not something I do on a regular basis.

cny_sewer39

If I was making cordinates for my kitchen, I would like everything to match. I have also bought whole bolts for backing, and binding. Especially if it was ON SALE!!!

debra

seamstome

Like others have said....borders, backing, background, etc on a large quilt, a fabric you use alot like a Kona Black or WOW or your favorite neutral on sale, or to make coordinating shams, valances etc.

WMUTeach

I bought a bolt of muslin about 9 months ago and never regretted it for a moment. I got it with a 50% off coupon and have used it almost weekly. Sometimes for piecing tops, sometime for the back. But it is a real convenience to just pop to my stash and grab the yardage I need. I also inherited half bolt of really wide muslin. That is wonderful for quilt back. I have that on my shopping list next time I get a really good coupon. There are a couple of prints that I use free

Just Me...

I had customers who would buy the bolt to make accessories for a room...curtains, pillows, etc. Some would buy it to be able to make backing and outer borders to match. 9 yards for a back and 3 for the outer borders, and you have nearly used a whole bolt! LOL

indymta

Thanks for the question jcrow. I've enjoyed reading the answers as I too wondered about that. I haven't quilted long and only lap quilts so couldn't imagine needing that much fabric but now I can see why.