I started quilting by accident. I bought an embroidery machine from a friend and she told me I would love to quilt. "Not me", says I. 1/4" seam, no way. I find that hysterical. I decided I needed quilting lessons to learn to square blocks and such for my embroidery. I've never looked back.
I was making a scrappy log cabin and I had no stash, I went into my LQS and had them cut lots of neutral 1/4 yard strips. Afterwards, I thought about how silly that was. Neutrals are always used. So, I bought lots of 1-2 yds lengths. Then an on line retailer LQS started selling scraps for $2.95 a yard. I bought over a hundred yards, and that's the story of my stash. I, also buy 2 yds lengths for pillowcases. Gives me 1 1/2 for the cases and 1/2 for me. I love, love, love scrappy quilts and I've put lots of time into my scrap storage ala Bonnie Hunter. She's my idol. I have huge storage for my 1 1/2", 2", and 2 1/2" strips. I cut squares as needed, and I have loads of hst & such from other projects. I'm set for life. lol