When I first decided to start quilting I was given bags and bags of fabric they had tucked away at the church thrift shop just waiting for someone to ask for quilting fabric. It's OK but nothing I would really pick out myself unless it's for a scrappy quilt and it's not enough of each piece to make a big quilt.
When I find a pattern I want to make I usually go buy the fabric to make it, plus a little bit to be safe.
I really avoid building a stash other than what I was given. Now I have about 4 quilts in my head that I want to make so if I see something on sale that would be good for one of them I will get that but nothing else!
I really have to start on some scrappy quilts and use those smaller pieces!