I used to not have a stash. I would buy only what I needed for whatever what I wanted to work on for two reasons: didn't have a regular job so I didn't have the money for the extra fabric and I didn't believe in buying fabric that I might never use (you know, buying fabric just because its pretty). But now I'm in a position where I have projects that require me to stash. My Zelda project requires 70+ colors and buying them all at once would be expensive and I doubt one quilt shop is going to have all the fabrics I need anyways. I've been collecting purple fabrics I like for a cathedral quilt I want to make for myself and green fabrics as I eventually want to make a quilt for my boyfriend (maybe for Christmas?). Also been collecting black and white fabrics because I've always wanted to make a black and white quilt.