After reading some of the comments/views of us quilters & probably in particular to this quilter in Australia - who posted the prices etc that we have in OZ (Australia)- then I think I should clarify further.....the best quilting material is imported from the US to OZ....& its the import duty, freight to stores, overheads by the small shops, like its the staff wages, heating/airconditioning, lighting, & all the other that one has whenst they are running a small business. Sure we could probably buy the el-cheapo - but whenst one does make a quilt - then they sure don't want it to shrink - dye bleed etc......yet if we could have cheaper prices of the material from the US - then I can bet you ten to one - that we would buy heaps more.
And thats why this one quilter who does go to the US twice a year to visit relatives & friends - buys up heaps of US quilting material whilst there & for others as well back in OZ. In fact my one check in luggage is always just full of material - that in fact customs, quaratine & security back in OZ always drool over the material I bring back.
So for those that they say they would never pay the prices that quilters in OZ do....well we Aussie's do go without a lot to compensate.....& try very hard to make do.
Just don't want people thinking that Aussie's throw their money away on materials etc okay.
Moggie lone quilter in Australia