I have a large “textile collection” and I love it! I adore scrappy quilts so I have many fat 1/4s. I run to the sale fabric when I go to the LQS and I buy enough yardage to back a quilt. I don’t like the wide backings as a rule. I find they don’t seem to be as tightly woven. (Just my silliness probably). I have found a great store in Bloomington called Bolines where fabric is $6.99 a yard. It is name brand fabrics and there is a huge selection. I love ‘30s and civil war fabrics and can sew from my stash for many years. I clean my scraps every month for the first couple of days. I cut them in strips, squares, etc. and I use them for donation quilts. I also sometimes use larger leftovers on the back of my quilts.
Fabric prices are probably going to continue to rise since China has bought up the cotton futures. HAving a large stash doesn’t bother me a bit. I love having it.