Just be glad you don't live in Canada, Australia, England etc. etc. etc. Look for good quality material where ever you can find it. If you can find good reasonable prices at your local quilt shop than start there maybe on their sale rack. There are good sorces on line and if you live in the U.S. most have free shipping over $50 or $100. Being a newbie you are going to have some sticker shock but think of it as an investment in your creativity.