I usually am working on several items at a time (some non-quilting), and nearly always need something--matching/contrasting fabric, thread, buttons, etc. As I carry a fabric purse that I have made, I pin a piece of fabric to the outside of the purse (otherwise I would loose it in the bottom, or forget to look for whatever). This also draws my attention to the fact that I need to look for a particular item rather than just add more fabric to my stash. I leave the fabric pinned to my purse until I've found what I need, no matter where I go-fabric store, Wallyworld, thrift store, yard sale,you get the picture, I go as I never know where I might find whatever I'm looking for. Of course, if there is something that I can not resist, it manages to find it's way into my shopping cart!