Quilt store quality fabric is a higher thread count, and not more loosely woven. Quite the opposite, it's soft because it doesn't have the "sizing" finish the cheap yard goods have. The dyes are generally more stable (dark reds being an exception) and they will hold up better to repeated washings better than the cheap fabrics. That being said, you can always look for stores who buy "flat folds" (the short lengths not on bolts) from the well known fabric manufacturers. Although it's never this year's llines, you can usually get them for at least 40% cheaper than the quilt store prices.