Stash building is one of the few things in life I seem to not have any problems doing. Hm, when you say you select a project and then you go out and buy fabric for it....don't you pick from your stash first and supplement what is missing? That is what I would do. If you always just buy more fabric without any regard to what you already have, your tower will simply continue to grow. OR rather than picking a pattern - pick a few fabrics and find a patter to use with them? Whatever you chose - have fun.