Welcome to this special corner of the world - you're going to love it here! As for finding affordable fabrics.....well, you have to just keep your eyes and ears open all the time! I recently found on Craigslist a nice lady out on eastern Long Island (in the Hamptons) who was de-stashing her fabric collection. She used to have a business making doggie bandanas and had every conceivable print for every different holiday of the year. Everything was only $1.00 a yard!!! My best friend and I came home with more than 80 yards between us - now THAT was a FIND!!
Great buys are out there.....Craigslist is a great source. Looking forward to seeing your work!