Hi from sunny Florida! Here is a link that will be helpful
http://www.quiltville.com This is Bonnie Hunter's website. #1 it's huge so don't try to look at everything at once or you'll be there for hours :-) ! If you scroll down a ways you'll find a link to her Youtube video called "Deboning a Shirt". This will show you how to get the most fabric from those thrift store and yard sale finds. Because you are in a city check out the Salvation Army and Goodwill too. Many members here have been successful in finding great fabric deals at these places. I didn't order fabric online until I felt I had a good understanding of different fabrics, but that's me. Having someone else finish my quilts or a long arm machine is not in my budget, which helped motivate me to work at quilting on my sewing machine. Many quilters do, and some are great award winning quilters. You can do it! Start simple and build your skills. Lots of help, encouragement and knowledge on this board!