Long story short, took my first quilting class, spent over $150 on lqs fabric...spent money for the lessons...what did I end up with?? Nothing completed. It was a terrible instructor, who was ONLY interested in selling the fabric, which I bought..and not about teaching a beginner. Iwas a beginner, and it was suppose to be a beginners class, and yet only 2 of us were beginners. I went to 3 lessons, and left the last time with the intention of NEVER setting foot in a lqs again. I didn't for a very very long time. They were so intimidating to the two of us newbies, I wonder what even happened to the other gal. I THEN start quilting when my new neighbor moved in..and she was so wonderful a teacher, and taught me about fabric, quilting and quality. I have NEVER finished the $150 quilt, although it is in a box, still waiting for me after 10 years, and maybe someday I will dig out the fabric and do something with it...BUT..I have purchased fabric from Walmart..in fact, $1 a yard fabric. I made 2 Trip Around the World quilts for my first attempt at a large quilt, and they BOTH get repeated washings, and I love love love them. One on my guest bed, the other on MY bed. Yes, quality means a lot to me, and the finished project has to be pleasurable to YOU and you only..even if you are giving it away. I have since, purchased a ton of fabric, and I buy what is 'good' quality fabric for the project I am doing. Yes, I have since spent $150 on a quilt kit, and frankly, my $1 a yard fabric is as beautiful as the expensive. The moral of that story is...LOVE what you do with what you have, and it will give you the pleasure you so desire. And Yes, my nose is just for that....smelling! I love the debate..that's why there are so many different quilts..just like us quilters and opinions. The love is in the heart of the quilter.