I buy sale fabrics from the UK, usually in January - and from 1 or 2 suppliers having liquidation sales - and only from those who will mail at a reasonable cost. I have only twice bought "must have" for a specific quilt for ourselves. The sale fabrics I look for are those which will marry similar prints or colours easily, or they are tonals etc. I buy natural calico (muslin in US) from UK for backing in various widths. Only very occasionally will I look for a print backing and once or twice have found a 60" print in the childrens fabric section at lower cost.
Threads and notions are necessary from UK for whatever they cost as it's metric here and I work in imperial.
I think we pay double US prices for batting.
Books not too bad, this Co. cheaper than Amazon and ship worldwide free
http//:www.bookdepository.co.uk
Our partners are very understanding - we are lucky!!
We're a dedicated lot!!