I try to use from my stash too, which is things I would use for family and friends. I do try to always buy on-sale fabric and my goal is to keep it around $2.00-2.50 a yard on sales. I also buy batting by the roll from an outlet here in town (it is about $1.25 a yard if you buy a whole roll of 80 yds.)It is good batting and washes well. I try to sew a tight sew, and put enough quilting into it that it will take being drug around by a little kid, tossed in the washing machine, and still stay together.