She sounds like a strange one all right. Believe me, I think I'm fly paper for freaks. They always find me. I usually make off hand conversation with them, just to get a handle on 'where they're at' so to speak. Sometimes I get a kick out of listening to some of them. If they're really freaky I get away as quickly as possible.
Most of the fabric I buy is usually something that catches my eye that I like. I can always buy coordinating fabric later. I don't always buy with a plan in mind at the time.
I have an aunt that sews alot and she only buys what she needs for a particular project, thus she doesn't maintain a stash. Then again, she doesn't live as far away from the fabric store as I do. Hubby rarely likes to go with me when fabric shopping. I buy mostly online and then go shopping for coordinating pieces.