I think our thrift stores here are expensive also. The community I moved from was a more affluent community but their thrift stores charged less. I don't understand that. I have purchased matching cotton curtains and a dust ruffle for a bed that gave me yards and yards of fabric for about $5.00. I also purchase ladies dresses with gathered skirts, men's shirts, and womens blouses for about $2.50 each when I can find something I think will work for quilting. I estimate that it takes over a yard of fabric to make either and I can't purchase fabric for that amount. I seldom find yardage however I did find a heavy cotton green and white stripe that I am going to use to cover the porch swing pads with here in a month or so. That should brighten things up out there since we have green shutters on the house.