My rule of thumb is to always use coupons (the higher the percentage the better) and wait for sales, and shop online, but I broke my rule the other day and spent $10.50 for a yard of Kaffe Fassett's design at one of the too many LQS's around here - our Walmart does not carry fabric anymore. It is so beautiful I just can't stop looking at it. If I ever get over that, someday I will use it to make something for myself for a change of pace. How about patterns? Do you all spend the $9 at QS's or do you use free patterns, or buy a book and use it over and over if you find a favorite?