The bottom line is that the better the quality, the more expensive it is to manufacture. A manufacturer may print the same pattern on different quality fabric to be sold to different retailers. I love the feel of a high quality cotton (which is why I don't like to use starch) and I also like to support my local quilt stores. They provide more than just fabric and I like to help them stay in business. But I don't always need a high quality fabric, so I shop wherever I can get the fabric that I need for a project.