Jilli - I can echo everything you've been told above. My first quilt was made from men's neck ties. That's pretty green - and I still love it most. I also used the innards from the ties for a weaving project. Most of my stash has derived from scraps from other type sewing projects before I got interested in quilting. I pick up remnants whenever I see them. We have a Disabled Veteran's store here and I often find huge grab bags of fabric there. They are usually cheap enough that I take them home, keep what I really think I will use and take the rest back for them to resell. I do very occasionally find stuff at Goodwill here - but not that often. If your Wal-Mart has a craft/fabric section left, check out their remnant bins. Hobby-Lobby here often has some great finds, as well.

Good luck - OH, I recently was de-stashing and sent a couple folks here some fabric that I knew I would never use - so friendships do help out. My sister quilts and she TRULY has NO stash. She buys as she needs, makes her quilt, finishes, and then buys for the next one.

Sheets that I can pick up at the Disabled Veteran's store make wonderful backings, too. Be pretty wise in checking that they are in good shape, are something that you think you will enjoy looking at, and don't pay too much. Most of mine have been picked up for $5 or less - beats the price of some of the extra wide backing fabrics.

Relax and enjoy. You are one of the ways that creative ideas are born.