Originally Posted by Retired GI Jo
I've also heard that cotton prices are up because of the drought last year, and I can understand that, but I haven't seen a lot of fabric made in the USA. I used to buy lots of fabric from JoAnn's, but the last couple of times I was there, all of the bolts that I pulled were very thin and made in China.
I also buy in a variety of places: thrift, Ad Bulletin (local paper free to call ins), and Connecting Threads has a great section of clearance fabric at 31-50% off. My stash is more than adequate, so I'm not too worried, but I do feel sorry for those beginning quilters.
Joyce
Cotton prices ARE up, yes, droughts in the US ... but mostly due to FLOODS in Pakistan and India, that's where the majority of cotton comes from today. Very little fabric is manufactured in the US now, virtually NO quilting or sewing fabrics that I know of. Most quilting fabrics are manuf. in China and Korea. A sad statement and one that is likely never to reverse ... :(