If it helps to see the usage needed:
http://www.hausergallery.com/fabric.htm

The site now uses paypal buttons. We are moving to zencart.
There are 13 pages of fabrics but only some of them have 2 or more pieces. Does stock by attributes still look like the best solution? There are many other product categories that are one-of-a-kind, so I am hesitant to do stock by attributes.

I still don't understand the answer to my first question. Why can't I use "Number of items" and "1st piece, 2nd piece" as the option name and option values? Why does checkout not allow the purchase of the second item if someone wants both pieces?

karine