blue chicken,
there are a couple of sites that have low-priced, good-quality fabrics.
try these:
http://www.craftconn.com
http://www.nixiechicks.com
http://www.thousandsofbolts.com
follow the links. if you can make up a really big order (maybe with a friend) it may be worth the shipping.
there is also hancocks of paducah, marshalls dry goods, on the qt,.... like that.