I applaud jbj137 for her savvy. I haven't done enough looking for useful quilting items in tool stores, but one of my favorite tools is a metal yardstick that I carried off from my husband's shop. I wonder how much that same ruler would cost with a quilt brand on it. DH said he paid $4! As for fabrics, I average less than 50 cents a yard and use wonderful re-purposed fabrics.