Don't forget that little fabric shops have a lot of overhead. It is not simply the cost of fabric, but also there is labor involved in cutting the fat quarters. I know people are unwilling to pay others for their time (so it seems), but unless you have been involved in the business end of quilting, there are a lot of unseen variables. It is not that small business are trying to cheat the public, so I hope people consider this when they complain about the price of fabric at LQS's. (Sorry if this sounds like a rant)