DonnaFreak

Welcome Jamie! :c)

I know a lot of people here will tell you that you get what you pay for, and in some cases that's true. You DO have to watch what you get though. Much of what you buy in quilting and fabric stores is better quality, but I have to tell you that I have bought fabric at Wal-Mart to use for a project, and later see the EXACT same fabric at another store or even on eBay for twice what I paid for it at Wally World. If it was a heavier, better fabric I could see it, but I'm talking the same fabric in every aspect. By all means shop at the more expensive shops...you WON'T regret it. Just compare prices and quality like you would with any other item you buy for your home. Hope this helps! :c)

Donna :)

Quilt Fan

Those prices are comparable to our shops. Other members of the board have had good suggestions as there are ways to obtain good fabric at more reasonable prices. One must learn the makers and to judge the fabric.
Do get to know your LQS. Check to see if they are online so you can receive notices. Visit once in a while to learn what they may have planned. Our two LQS have an area with clearance fabric, some 40% & 50% off. Once a year there is a sale on batik and once a year there is a 50% off sale on selected items. I have to have a plan or a list before the sale.

DonnaFreak

I had another thought on this. Are you a member of a local quilter's guild? I found one through the local cooperative extension services here and became a member at the 2nd meeting I go to. With a membership card, many quilt shops will give a discount on purchases. I just went to Hancock Fabrics last night and got a 15% discount on my entire purchase, and everything I got was a clearance item! :c)

Donna

loo13

I've bought the same fabric at Walmart that the local shops have in stick

loo13

Sorry fat fingered that! It boils down to if you "have the newest prints" you'll pay the price. If not you can save money by shopping

Just Fabric

I go to the local thrift stores: Value village, goodwill etc. I too buy bed skirts from the thrift stores, there almost always new, most people don't use them, have used bedsheets too, the only time I go to the good quilt stores is when I am making a wallhanging an need a certain fabric, I make alot of personal wallhangings for myself or friends. I do use Walmart fabric even the $1.50-2.00 stuff, you have to like the feel of the fabric and some of it is pretty nice. My son needed curtains for a big padio doors and I got his fabric at walmart for a $1.50 a yard, good enough for curtains for his place. Joanns has pricey fabric too, I just wait for a coupon.

jolo

well without stating my actual age,aheeem. I was raised during and after the great depression, we made quilts to last and last thru life. I have quilts that have survived to this day made from old clothes etc. When I got rich,lol, I even made quilts from Walmart fabric and they are still being used and are whole. I have us LQS fabric that does NOT hold up like that. One or two washing and they were faded and the colors ran. Seams pulled out , Yes I am a fabric snob,I use what I have or can find at a reasonable price that I can afford.

pmatheus

Another thread about fabric costs listed many online fabric stores. I'd suggest giving someone your credit card to hold while you look! Being new to this board, discovered these stores, and with brand new twin grandaughters and another grandaughter on the way went a tad crazy. The selections are wonderful, way better than Jo-Ann's, and much better quality, and I only let myself shop the clearance sections. Fabric.com and thousandsofbolts.com are my suggestions but I'm going to be forced to check on some that are in this thread as well :) I don't know about any of you all but this day job is really interferring with my sewing!

SandraQuilts

That's a GOOD price for quality fabric!~ As the LQS get new things in, it will be going up towards 11~~so better buy what ya can at those prices!
There is NO comparison in quality to walmart fabric. I'm not saying you can't use it, but it's not the same quality. I mean, if you compare apples and oranges.
But, you can make quilts from ANYTHING, old clothes... look at Bonnie Hunter!
Just have fun! :)

grannypat7925

I have some Walmart fabrics that are just fine. I just received an order from Connecting Threads and I am impressed with the quality of the fabric and the speedy service. I ordered at 9 o'clock Monday evening and received my order in Wednesday's mail. Really quick!