Good topic...I've always wondered what most people do! Since I got back into quilting about 10 years ago, I've rarely paid full retail for my fabric. I tend to pick up fabric, on sale, online, as I don't have a local quilt shop, the closest being over an hour away and selling at Cdn prices
. I've got a fair collection of fabric bought on spec, fat quarter bundles, a few JR's and some yardage when I've hit a super sale and now my purchases are limited to neutrals, backgrounds and the one piece I need to go with something already in my stash to come up with a quilt. Same with batting, pick it up on sale as with other notions. If I had to pay full price for my fabric etc., I'd be able to make one or two quilts per year. This way I have the added challenge of hunting up that perfect pattern for the stash I have and making most of my gifts with fabric I have on hand, plus donating quilts and quilting locally. Win Win in my books!