I try to gage the price I am willing to pay based on what I am making.
I look for a lot of sale prices and clearance. I know I don't want to get crappy material cause I don't want to put work into something that will not hold up. If I am getting fabric for about $9 it doesn't hurt me if I am making something special (for family or friends) my donation quilts I hit up yardsales and rummage sales for that fabric. That being said I have paid $12 a yard and it hurt
but the fabric fit my plan and I was shopping in a local quilt shop and I like supporting them when I can