bstanbro

If I like it some, I buy two yards. If I like it a lot, I buy three yards. If I really, really like it, I buy four yards.

marta

I am working up to making an Irish Chain--either double or triple. Does anyone know the yardages for either, with 2 colors, for a double bed?
Also, has anyone ever made a Log Cabin to cover just the top, and made borders for the sides and ends? If so, did you like it better or worse than all Log Cabin?
Have a great day!
Marta
[email protected]

Iluv2quilt

I always buy 3 - 4 yard of background material - almost every quilt has a background. Of a patterned material? I buy anywhere from 1 - 3 yards. Blending material? Probably 1/2 - 3 yards. Sometimes I buy just a fat quarter to add to my collection. :D

Mousie

well, here is my own formula: If I think it would make a good outer border? I buy three yards for a full size/queen bed. That's bc I like to cut my borders on one piece with the selvedge. It doesn't stretch as much and if I didn't pay that much to the direction of the print, this saves me from finding out, later that crossgrain might not look as good.
I also have some left to use in center or on the backing or other borders.
If it's going to be for a lap, I buy two yards.
If it's going to be with other fabrics in the center, depending on how much I like it, I will buy one to two yards.
I'd much rather have too much than not enough.
Occasionally I buy for blocks to mail or a very small project. Then I buy at least 1/4 - 1/3 yard. I have on occasion liked these pieces so much, I wish I had gotten more. Can't have it all, can we???
FRom the looks of my stash, I must be trying, lol. :wink:

BTW: I lean towards samplers and quilts with lots of different colors or fabrics. If I was making a quilt with mostly the same blocks, I would probably buy at least 4 yards for the center background, or MAIN fabric.
Maybe even more, depending on size.
The average queen size quilt needs 8 1/2 yards for the backing, so, the front, center needs 4-6, maybe more for a repeat block, esp. if you also put it in outer border or binding.

Mousie

That's what I'm sreamin!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Jeannie

If you are fairly new to quilting you might be more select for a while until you really get a sense of what you really like. Your taste may change over time. Mine did and I have a lot of stash I am donating. I also found I bought some fabric was just hard to work with in a given project.

I do a lot of scrapy so if I do see a fabric I really love I will buy more than 1 yard. I learned the hard way that some fabric you have a hard time finding again.
The other consideration is whether you are close to a Quilt Store or a fabric store.
Good Luck!

mary quite contrary

I had 3 yards of each for a double irish chain I am working on. I ran out of the medium and the light fabrics. Hopefully there will still be some left at the quilt shop.

Quilt Mom

I buy 3 yards usually. Reason - I have an unfinished quilt that I cannot find the same piece I started with. When I was new to quilting, everyone told me not to choose a border fabric until the center of the top was done. When the center was finished, my DD decided she wanted one of the fabrics in the pattern for the border - and it is not available any longer. :cry:

So, live and learn.

My DH thinks 3 yards is a minimum cut. :lol: I'm not telling!