I have a good size stash. I started sewing for Christmas in Sept. Mainly from my stash. I've bought 9 yards of fabric since then. I can actually see the bottom of shelves in a couple of places. That gives me space to get more to fill up those holes. :)

The instant gratification syndrome.
Replaced the use it up syndrome.

I don't think of it as hoarding. I think of it as saving for the future. Fabric prices will not be going down, only up. If you buy at today's prices, or find fabric on sale, then you are saving for the future - what an investment! I have fabric that I purchased in 2000 from a fabric store going out of business, and I got purchased it at 10 cents on the dollar! I love Judy Niemeyer patterns, so I'm trying to accumulate a lot of batik fabric. Just this past week, someone on the board announced that Sea Watch Fabrics was going out of business, so I immediately went online and ordered - more than once! Wonderful quality fabric for $4.99/yd. Then a friend told that Quiltin' Country was going out of business, so I ordered from there as well. With fabric prices toward the $14-$15 range, I want to save all I can while I can!

I don't like the term "hoarder". This gives off a negative aspect to collecting fabrics. We quilters are collectors of finding nice fabrics, fabric deals, all for good use some day. If we dont get to use all of it, someone someday will be in fabric heaven. I woudl prefer to call any of us who store up items for future quilts, "savy fabbers". lol

About five years ago, while with my BFF and fellow fabric enabler, we started "collecting" all these wonderful sale fabrics while out and about. She used to say "we're saving for our retirement". I retired in 2012 and she's still working. I've made numerous quilts since then and it's a nice feeling shopping in my own stash. Have I made a dent - oh heck no! Buying fabric is one of the few things I consistantly enjoy in life. When I visit my LQS needing something special to complete a project, I am so thankful that I have that $4.99 sale fabric to use for the majority of my latest project versus current prices. Enjoy life while you can within your financial means.

I guess if I'm a hoarder than so be it. I have a stash that would make some people think I never used any of it, and I do occasionally buy yardage as a treat to myself--my stash doesn't move very much, I work and when I am not in the office I play with scraps, to me it is wonderful therapy. I just took photos of the quilts I am gifting for Christmas- I guess I did really well considering my time at work. I gift mine to my children mostly- this year one is going to my new boss specifically for the office wall that needs some color. She will appreciate it as much as my daughters. My totally favorite quilting projects are crumb and scrap quilts

I think of myself as thrifty and a collector of beautiful fabrics but my family thinks I am a hoarder. It is all in the eyes of the beholder.

I think of myself as a quilter, first and foremost, so I do not consider myself a hoarder, although my husband might disagree with me on this. However, since he became disabled and I could not find another job after being laid off, I am so, so glad that I had "several" shopping expeditions while I was still gainfully employed and came across some fantastic fabric sales. For the most part I have been using that fabric to make quilts and other quilted items, although occasionally I will have to buy additional background fabric, etc. to complete the quilt. In fact, I made a full size bed for our DGD entirely from my "stash" and only had to go out and buy backing fabric. Since my DH and I are together 24/7, my quilting hobby is the only thing that is keeping me sane.

I am so thankful to have been able to store so much fabric in my "little storage closet" (stupid realtor said it was the third bedroom. Lol!). Now that DH is on permanent disability, buying fabric is not happening anymore so I work from my stash only now. It forces me to get creative when I don't have enough of a certain fabric. I am not bothered by it, and DH says I was smart to buy it all before the prices went up, and he has no idea that I quit buying for him, he thinks I won't spend so much per yard, and we both stay happy. Works for me.

My stash becomes depleted every year .. as I quilt, sew garments for my grands, craft. Now my scrap bins .. LOL that is a different story ... One day I will make some quilts or pillow cases out of them !! :-)