I find I can tell the difference but it doesn't matter to me. I use whatever I get my hands on. Yes, the qs quality feels nicer but when you need to live within a budget, you shop Joann's and Wal-Mart too.
I make my quilts to be loved and used, so I just want something appealing to the recipient. Swaps, this is my first, we'll see how it goes. I know that I'm like Patrice, sometimes life gets in the way and you get slow and other times, I'm fast to the post office. I just pick swaps far between.