I am a scrappy quilter and I buy only quilt shop quality - that has cut down on lots of disappointments in the quality of my fabrics. I've found great deals online and some wonderful places to buy my fabrics, so it doesn't have to be so expensive. I buy notions at JoAnn's and I'm amazed at what their fabric is priced at. 40% off is still on just one piece of fabric. Two years ago one of my fav quilt shops started selling scraps - they have a HUGE online store, and these scraps are fabrics that were cut and not sold, end of bolts, etc. I bought over 30 yds three different times - gave my scrap containers a boost. I try and cut a 1 1/2", 2", 2 1/2" strips - these containers are bursting. I'm now putting them into lights & med darks containers. I'm also in a swap group and we swap 2 1/2" strips of certain colors. Jamuary is browns. I am doing purple string blocks and one of our swaps was purples and I hit it hard, but I had over 100 different purples. I also got into that million pillowcase challenge. My only problem is I love these darn things so much and I'm now machine embroidering the cuffs. Good Excuse for buying lots of 2 yd lengths.
Judi