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Member since 10/28/08
Posts: 52
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Posted on: 7/9/09 3:56 PM ET
What length do you buy? I've always been a 'buy for the project' kind of girl, but sometimes I come across fabric that I really like, but I have no idea how much I should buy because I don't have a project in mind.

What do you do?
  
Member since 3/4/09
Posts: 1711
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Posted on: 7/9/09 4:21 PM ET
In reply to berescga
Ideally I wouldn't buy fabric unless I already had a pattern to make it .... hahahahaha. How funny! I'm good at telling jokes.

Anyways... I typically don't buy a fabric if I don't know what I would use it for. I only buy if I can at least picture what kind of garment I'd make from it, even if I don't have the right pattern yet (my pattern stash is not too big). Then I can go find the pattern I need. This works for me because I really only crave a fabric when I can visualize it as a garment. So then, knowing what type of garment I'd make, I can estimate what I'd need. So I think about how much fabric a similar item I've already made used, and get that plus at least an extra 1/2 yard, just to make sure. The guidelines for me are usually about 1-1.5 yds for a top; 2-2.5 yds for a blazer; 2-2.5 yds for a skirt; 3-3.5 yds for a dress. (This includes the extra half yard.) In my experience most everyday garments (ones that aren't outerwear or formal dresses) don't need more than 4 yds of fabric. I think I only have one pattern requiring more than that, it's a dress with a very big skirt and it needs about 6 yards.
-- Edited on 7/9/09 4:23 PM --
  
Member since 2/5/06
Posts: 1374
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Posted on: 7/9/09 4:55 PM ET
I'm primarily a quilter, and I build my stash in 3 yard increments. That also generally covers any top or pants I might want to make, and scraps are always good for quilts if I go that route.
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Bernina 740, 700, and 430 -- Babylock BLCS, and Ovation -- APQS Millennium -- Vintage Singers 401a, 403, 404, 421g, 301, 15-90, 201-2
  
Member since 12/7/05
Posts: 2856
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Posted on: 7/9/09 5:05 PM ET
In reply to CJ Tinkle
I am also a three yard girl myself....
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Viking Lily 545
Viking Ruby
Bernina Activa 210
Brother 1034d
  
Member since 7/23/07
Posts: 7276
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Posted on: 7/9/09 5:48 PM ET
I never buy fabric for my stash. I buy it with a definite project in mind. The stash just sorta....happens.
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http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
  
Member since 9/2/03
Posts: 522
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thumbsup 1 like
Posted on: 7/9/09 8:38 PM ET
I'm a big believer in the fact that sometimes your fabric needs to tell you what it wants to be. It may take awhile to inform you. I like to buy 3 yds.
  
Member since 12/13/07
Posts: 826
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Posted on: 7/9/09 10:44 PM ET
If it's pant's style, 2.5, top style 2. Otherwise, 2. Ummm, maybe I have no plan.
  
Member since 2/15/08
Posts: 500
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Posted on: 7/9/09 10:56 PM ET
In reply to berescga
I use to buy only the fabric I needed for a project, then I discovered that it is best to buy the fabric you like when you see it, because it rarely reappears

I use to only sew for my dd's so I would buy about a yard for a childs' dress, then I started sewing tops for me so I went to 2 yards.

So, I think it depends on what you plan to sew, the width of the fabric and how much you want to spend. Most of my stash came from buying in sales so I could afford to buy 3-5 yards of each fabric.

I also have a little notepad when I fabric shop, it details the patterns I want to make up, the minimum fabric I need, so if I see a fabric for a special project I will know straight away how much I need. HTH
  
Member since 1/20/08
Posts: 1301
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Posted on: 7/9/09 10:57 PM ET
In reply to BeeBeeSew
Quote: BeeBeeSew
If it's pant's style, 2.5, top style 2. Otherwise, 2. Ummm, maybe I have no plan.

I tend to do the same thing. I might not have a particular project in mind, but do generally know what type of garment that I would make, so if it's a dress, I get 3-4 yards, pants 2.5, skirt 1.5, jacket or shirt 2-2.5, shirt for my nephew, 1 yard, and so on.

And that is 60" fabric, 45" is a whole different story!!
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Michelle

http://cheapandpicky.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 4/11/02
Posts: 1507
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Posted on: 7/9/09 11:13 PM ET
On those infrequent occasions when you find (as I did a few months ago) a bolt of black Italian linen in the $1.97 bin at Walmart (ours still has fabric), the correct answer is, ALL OF IT!!!! (8.6 metres)

Jennifer Hill
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'Winds of inspiration. . .'
Quilt Canada 2010
Telus Convention Centre, Calgary, AB
April 26 - May 1 2010
  
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