I don't spend as much as the previous posters but I don't make bed size quilts, just bigger lap quilt size. And I usually use some fabrics from the stash that I have no idea how much I paid for them originally. I'll guess around $100 - that's 10-12 yards of fabric so that's probably close. That's just the direct cost - I'm not counting the machine or the longarm or all the tools and rulers that I have amassed. Fully loaded, the cost would be much higher. I don't think I want to know. :|
I am only counting the fabric that gets used in the quilt. Not the fabric that I buy for it but don't use and add to my stash.