One way I keep costs down and still get good quality fabric is to always scope out the sale rack/room at a local quilt shop. Most of the time they are not very obvious and I have to ask. Usually the fabrics are in the 40-60% off range. They are not much left on the bolt, the left overs from a fabric line, out of season, not as popular etc. I went shop hopping to pick up row by row patterns with a friend who is a fairly new quilter and she was able to get fabric for a quilt whose pattern called for 10 different fabrics all from the sale area of the different quilt shops. It was beautiful and she didn't feel like she was settling for something only because of the price. I always get backings for my quilts this way. I rarely get anything at JoAnn's or Hobby Lobby because of the quality and if I have to pay in the $12 range to get quality at JoAnn's I'd rather support a local shop where the person who waits on me sews/quilts and is anxious to hear about my project.