I wouldn't set out to buy a stash if I were just starting out. I would buy what I planned on making and then go from there. Through the years you have a stash. Can't imagine trying to buy up things you think you might need, and then not have any when you wanted it because you didn't think of that at the time. I had a lot of left over fabric stash from sewing and then my quilt stash grew from there. Now I buy what I want to when I see it, I rarely need anything as I have it now. I am older and it took me many years to get the stash I have.