When I began quilting in 1991, I had already been sewing for many years and was determined not to buy a large stash of quilting cotton. Then I attended a lecture where the speaker showed quilts she could not have done without her stash. She explained that manufacturers put out a color, say blue, only once every seven years and that this year's blues, which might be shaded (black added), won't be the same next time. Next time they might be toned (grey added). Looking around for lime fabric back then, I could see that it was just about impossible to get (and now it's easy). I could see she was right. This began my stash building. Sigh! I do have a nice stash, but it also takes up a lot of space plus time to maintain its organization and to access it. But if I did not have this stash, there are many quilts I could not make and I would have far fewer choices as to color. Color is a favorite thing of mine.