I have huge fabric collection - several thousand yards of prints, many on bolts; hundreds of yards of solids which I use alot; a vast collection of FQs, some 2 1/2" rolls and hundreds of nickle squares + lots of leftover pieces from quilts I've made and I've been quilting since the 70s.
I love fabric - how much I buy depends on how much I love it and how much it costs.
The only FQs I buy now are novelty fabrics which I cut into various sized squares.

Im just a shopper.. I find reasons, more like excuses to run to the Fabric store...

I go on shop hops.. Usually get 25% off if cut off the bolt
But im not one to buy just one yard.. Im more of 'im gonna buy the rest of the bolt' kinda gal.. BUT its gotta be a great price too.. I wont splurge over $6/yard and if i take the bolt usually the LQS will give an addt'l 20% for making more room for them.. lol..
I got a few older/vintage boxes from a wonderful lady ( Luise- quilting in heaven with my MIL).. Great neat old fabrics.. i use them for backing as its all yards and yards...
I go to auctions and find feedsacks (real 1930s are my absolute favorite) ...
Garage sales too, but not necessarily thrift stores-never had any luck finding useable CLEAN fabs- but i have found a few quilts that i gave a good home to..
My Dad is notorious for finding 'great finds' at garage sales so every time i go visit i come home with another tub of fabrics - THANKS DAD, You are the greatest!!!

In time you you will have a stash, be patient, check out the LQS sales section, Craigslist, get put on Fabric shops mailers for specials and coupons and upcoming events like sidewalk sales...

I always have 3/4 patterns chosen for my next quilts. I check several sights when they have sales. I pick up fabrics for these quilts. Which ever quilt I pick up enough fabrics for is the quilt I make. Buying on sale, and buying only what I need for a quilt, keeps me from just buying fabrics because I like it. I buy 1/2-1 yard pieces.Depending if its a fabric to piece or a fabric for borders. Or backing fabrics. By having patterns already chosen, I know what I need in fabric.
When I have a lot of leftover fabric from these quilts, then I make a scrappy quilt from my scrap box.

Not a stash builder here. I buy for projects only for the following reasons...1) no place to store a stash; 2) not into 'scrappy'. That said, I do 'over buy' a bit when purchasing. If the pattern calls for say 1.5 yds, I'll get 2, etc. This gives me enough for mistakes and a bit left over. Then, when doing another project and I only need a small amount of something, I have a clue as to if I need to purchase that particular piece. I don't cut leftovers. I leave them in the state they end up when I'm done. I will even keep scraps - both large and small, so if I want to figure out something or am doing a pp'ing block, I have things to work with.

I once in a while buy a couple of yards. Mostly 4-5- or 6 yard pieces. I have bought 10 yards of white,white on white, off white on off white. I worry about having something to go with it later. I buy what I like. I have fabric from leftover quilts and made scrappy quilts this year, 7 so far. I have tons of fabrics.

Where do I get my stash?

I work at a LQS... 'nuf said! :)

Only what's left over and I do not pre-cut it. Each month I'll buy 5 FQ's at my local bargain store for $1.99 ea. for my Dear Jane. I love to buy new for each big project as so many new fabrics have come out since I last shopped.

There's over 360 yards on bolts plus bins of precuts and plastic storage boxes of fabric put togeher for spcific patterns. I'll probably never shop again. (boo hoo......no more shopping thereapy!)[/QUOTE]

You'll just have to make shopping from your stash your therapy. :0)

What does it consist of? Is it leftover fabric from a project, or an impulse buy? Do you see a bolt of fabric and buy X amount of yards with nothing in mind right now?

yes, to all the above. always remember that "stash happens!"