I have to be honest on this topic. I lost two people, both quilters, who were very close to me in the past couple of years. I inherited their quilting rooms, except for the machines. But even before, I realized I was 'tired' of some of my own fabric, and that I had to quit buying. I like to buy, and in order to buy a new piece now and then, I decided to use up the majority of my stash, and then supplement when necessary. I got the stash way low, then was able to add some very good bargains over the XMas sales...whew, new fabrics :)
I will never have mine as large as the other womens - who died before they could even come close to using it all. What a waste. As a person with a brain tumor, I do realize how quickly this could happen for me (but hopefully not!). Therefore, I use what I have, will not outgrow my storage space, and buy a new piece every now and then as needed to complete a quilt - but no/very few spontaneous purchases for me. I think I've been quilting long enough to see there's not that much value in hoarding fabrics...when your taste and quilting style may change at any moment, as mine have done more than once :)
Just my personal thoughts :)
Debbie in Austin