Dear Penny,
Our foreparents used whatever was left over from worn out clothing. They did not have the luxury of purchasing fabric to make a quilt, although these were basically natural fibers and fabrics. Some of us were so poor that the batting was more old ragged clothing or newspaper and what beautiful quilts were made.
Even after man made fabrics came into being, there are still people who are not able to purchase luxuries, like yards of fabric. So, enjoy sewing your quilt with what resources are available to you. I have learned to make do with what I have and oh what treasures can evolve from a willing heart and creative spirit. ENJOY!!!! Please post pictures of your creations. We all had a beginning in this wonderful craft.