Quilt fabric ordering help

[cj]

Finally getting onto ordering material for my first ever quilt which is going to be a single sized Hungry Caterpillar quilt for when Frankie turns 2 in December.
I have picked coordinating fabrics, but not really sure how much to get - do you normally really plan your layout, or just buy a few yards then see what you can do?
I have a panel and 3 fabrics for the front of it, I am thinking a yard of each of the 3 might leave me a little short, given that the fabric isn't as wide as a quilt needs to be? Pick one to get 2 yards of?

Do you normally do a binding round the edge that coordinates with both sides?

Should I really plan then buy, rather than buy, then make it up ?

[Vivianne]

Plan then buy. It really sucks if you run short.

[rootoo]

I cheated with J's duvet cover and just bought half yards, pieced them (into full-width strips.. all about the easy here ) and then made up the extra length and width with a border of cheap plain fabric. It worked out quite nicely, as the width the fabric came in was about the width of the top of the bed, so the border is the bit that hangs over each side if that makes sense?

But you shoudl probably plan it and do it the right way, not my way

[cj]

Plan then buy. It really sucks if you run short.

THought you might say that
I suspect I might turn out not to be a very good quilter

[cj]

I have been a good girl and planned, and just ordered.
When I say planned I mean fairly vaguely, but I have a reasonable idea of what I want to do (very simple obviously, being my first!).
Am about to order a book as well, our library has nothing.

[Vivianne]

Good luck!! just go slowly and ask for help if you need it.