Hi AndysC,
I read your posts and my heart goes out to you. It appears you have been bitten by the bug. It is a good thing. Yes, it can be expensive at times, but you can learn how to make do by shopping at thrift stores (flannel shirts are great to cut up to be used for quilts, as are jeans, cotton blouses, etc.). Plus they may also have fabric somewhere. You sound like you have decent supplies to work with, and that is also a big plus.
I would love to send you stuff. I have way too much now, and would be more than willing to share. I think there are lots of people here that feel the same way. Send me your address; I will put a care package together.
We can't let a new quilter not have anything to work on!
Anita