Classes are a wonderful investment, both for the educational and the friendship. However, that being said, unless it was a new technique or a particularily difficult technique, I wouldn't take the class. When I buy a pattern, or book, I read it, sometimes twice, and do a practice block out of scraps or ugly fabric. As you stated, money is tight, so, after reading the book, you feel confident enough to try it, then go buy your fabric and go for it. I am not putting down classes, but, when we have to choose between taking a class or buying fabric...well, I would buy the fabric everytime. And speaking from experience, I have yet to take a class that I walk away with paying just for the class. I always have to buy the gizmo they are promoting, or the fabric, or something. Anyway, I ramble, but, like I said, if I have to choose between the class or the fabric... I'll go for the fabric.