They always seem to get the lion's share of my allowance too. :D I also sew clothing and purses, ect., the patterns are on sale a lot there for a buck. I love the ladies in my local store and the cotton quilting fabric is a very nice quality. The only complaint is, I wish they had nicer batiks. Thiers is so ugly!
I am glad you stepped into hancocks and found a better supplier for your hobbies. I love shopping my local quilt stores too. I have about twenty of them within a fourty five minute drive of me. (Oh No!) They have patterns and fabrics you can not find in a chain store. It is like a quilter's dream come true.
One place I have found recently is the Ben Franklin store that I had not gone to in years. They have some nice fabric and crafts in there too. I was surprised. They carry many moda fabrics for less than the quilt shops. Go figure ...
Enjoy your self in your new found place to shop. And show pictures! We love pictures.