In South Africa, I buy fabrics from either a LQS, which is far more expensive at an average of R150.00 ($11.00) per meter or from a franchise fabric retailer called Waste Center. They sell quilting quality cottons at R79.99 ($6.50) per meter. Waste Center doesn't have the same variety as the LQS so I buy most of my fabrics from them and then 'top up' with fabrics from the LQS.