I buy some of my fabric from the fat quarter shop online - they usually have great sales if you keep checking back - I just recently got a line From Amanda Murphy Designs for the most part on sale running 5-7 dollars a yard and I got enough (PLus some) for a quilt pattern I just love that uses 5 different fabrics....you just really have to watch sales and clearance
Almost every Quilt shop I have ever been to has a clearance area I have gotten some gorgeous fabrics for really low prices in some of these areas I am not adverse to buying for more it just benefits me to shop around...