I've been quilting a long time and I for one, can't afford to shop LQS. I have to shop JoAnns with coupons or I don't buy at all. I get patterns for free or make them myself. I also buy threads on sale too. I take all scraps offered and make donation quilts out of that. I bought a roll of batting on sale for 60% off a year ago. that's how I do donation quilts. it has to be a special quilt, like the Asian quilt I made my son to go to a LQS.