Wash and dry the cheaper fabric and see how you feel about it after that. Sometimes washing it tightens up the weave. I too have purchased inexpensive fabric, I've made placemats, table runners, tote bags/grocery bags, pillow cases, aprons and hot pads, and small zipper bags for cosmetics, simple tissue holders for those pocket size tissue packs. I gave some of the items as gifts, the rest I donated to an animal rescue center to sell at their annual fund raisers. I have made little tiny quilts for the cat cages in shelters and have small quilts to keep in our cars. At first I didn't think I'd enjoy making items with fabric that I no longer liked. But knowing it was for charity did bring joy to my life and it wasn't just tossed out.