It took me a while to learn the "feel" of a high quality quilting cotton fabric. Once having learned that, I can buy with confidence and knowledge of what kind of fabric I'm purchasing. I do try to support my local quilt stores as they provide more than just fabric and I want to keep them in business. A large warehouse size shop near me buys the end runs of brand name fabrics which has a fantastic price, but the fabric is all flat fold and in big stacks so it is hard to see stuff other than what is on top.