Sewnoma

Yup, yup, yup! I see this too, and one shop had some fabrics I wanted badly but they wanted $28/yd for them so I didn't take those home. Apparently they were Japanese imports, and those, for some reason, are extra-expensive.

Beverly's (small chain store) is still sticking to around $9.99 & $10.99 a yard for their LQS-quality fabrics, which is very convenient because there are two of them near me and they tend to stock a lot of the types of fabrics I like (incl. LOTS of batiks).

MOST of my fabric comes from either online shopping, or buying it second-hand. I've had some significant scores at local thrift shops, and there's a local charity shop that's dedicated to selling off pre-owned fabrics and sewing/craft supplies that's a great place to hunt for treasures. It benefits the local senior center so I like shopping there anyway.

I've also discovered my guild's annual fabric sale, where fabric is donated by members and sold off for $2/lb. It's only once a year and that's probably a good thing; it was held last month and I bought something like 12 yards of fabric in whole pieces 1-yard or more, and probably another 5 or 6 more yards in smaller/irregular pieces and scraps; I paid $12 for a bag stuffed full of fabric! Score!!

I have two garment-sewing friends who refuse to take up quilting (so far) so I get all their cotton scraps, which is awesome. I'm glad I like scrappy and crazy quilts - I can use almost anything and I waste almost nothing, and end up with some really neat quilts! At least *I* think they're neat!