Yes, a stash is very important. For example, if you suddenly find that you are going to a baby shower or a birthday party the day after tomorrow, you need the fabric to make something, not spend the day shopping for something. Of course, BEFORE I was a quilter, I had 125 boxes of fabric for costumes and lost it all in a flood, so I may not be the best source of information. Now I only have 16 large dressers worth.