I had a stash before I ever started quilting. Back when I sewed only to make clothing.. if it was on sale at a very good price and I loved it.. I bought it. For me its no different than keeping a pantry of food item purchased on sale for future use. The concept is so parallel , flour and sugar are the muslin and tone on tone etc in my sewing pantry.

I make a huge amount of charity quilts. I make patriotic ones, kids and Hospice. I only buy what is deeply discounted and a good quality. I have had quite a bit given to me also--mainly floral. If I had to pay $12 a yard there would not be nearly as many quilts donated It is all neatly folded and on shelves in my closet.

Project only buyer here. I do buy extra for error sake but that's about it. I don't have room to maintain a stash and my tastes change rapidly. The project leftovers are my only stash. I'm also not into scrappy so it all works for me.

I don't live in town either. Until recently there was no place to buy fabric up here on the mountain. So I buy mostly for projects, but, I do put in blenders and backings in a stash for those days when it is snowing and I can't get into town.

Now there is the occasional exception when I have bought fabric that I loved and had no current use for. I love having inspirational fabric to start those creative engines. Believe me, between my charity quilts and the other things I sew, it all gets used eventually. The going out of business sales is what grew my stash to almost out of control once. Quilt shop quality at a dime store price, who could resist?

Hubby made my shelving in the double closet of the sewing room to organize mine. Then he added hanging kitchen-type cabinets above my sewing area.

Let me add one thing ... I don't have a closet full of shoes and purses, I don't have any hobbies but this one and gardening. So I feel no remorse whatsoever.

For me the stash just happened over years. Buying fabric for a project and then not making it for whatever reason. Left over fabric from when a design changes, fabric I just had to have. And as soon as people learn I quilt they get rid of their unwanted material by dropping it off at my house. I never bought a fabric to just add to my stash. There is always an intended use at the time I acquire it.:D
peace

I only ever bought fabric for an intended project, never had a stash. But with the price of fabric now, I wish I had one! Also, I am very disappointed in the quality of Christmas fabric. I have a little leftover, and can find nothing today that is as nice.

I buy fabric with no project in mind and it goes in my stash. Only rarely do I buy fabric with a project in mind. Like if I'm making a specific quilt. And that doesn't happen to often.

This is how I see it, too. How do I get a meal on the table without ingredients on hand? I try to buy food and fabric when on sale, things I know I'll use, so that when I need to be, I'm ready to cook or sew. I love being able to find backing in the closet that I have bought from the sale bin that is just right for my project. I just try to shop stash FIRST, THEN head to the store if I need to. Jmho.

Stash is a funny thing. I have left overs; pass on; freebies; sale items and stuff I just love. The biggest reason I buy stash is when you want it you can't find it so you better get it when you see it. Sometimes you just get that certain fabric in your mind and nothing else will do and you can go crazy finding it even with the web. I love it - I buy it.

I have a large stash, bought mostly when on sale, very few for reg prices. Also goodwill and yardsales.