I'm trying to do the same thing. In order for this to work I need to stay out of stores that sell fabric. I almost always find something I just have to have. Just recently I just "had to have" Moda's Summer Breeze II as I always wanted a blue and yellow quilt. I just "had to have" a jelly roll and a layer cake and some yardage for the border. And of course when Connecting Threads has one of their fabulous sales. Last one I got lots of fabric for less than $2/yd.