I got into quilting because of my mother's stash. Well, and the fact that she needed someone to take her to her quilt retreats (she was 88 when I started going with her. She's 92 now). I swore that I would not buy ANY material just work from her stash. Two rooms lined with shelves FULL. We did 3 scrappy quilts out of that stash and a baby quilt. Now, I have my own stash mingled with some of hers in my house as well as the stash still in her house! It all started because I needed a backing for the baby quilt. There is just something about certain fabrics that call to you. Much of what I have I just liked....I didn't have a single thing in mind to do with it....now that is just silly....but I couldn't help it. Now I have to organize it so I can use it.