diamondee

I've been working on my stash for the last few years because of the price increases. I also am not afraid to look around at yard sales, church rummage sales and such. I now have 2 bookcases 8X10 ft filled and at least 10 boxes. I hope I live long enough to use it all LOL I still find myself picking up the "just right" fabric at the stores. I still have so much to learn, I do not feel as bad cutting into bargain/ but good fabric.

Rose_P

When I read this I thought we were seeing this difference because of the exchange rate, but I checked and the Australian dollar is barely any higher then the USD right now! That is a shocking price!

Cotton has gone up for various reasons affecting the supply worldwide. Even the chain stores around here - where there is plenty of competition - are charging much more than they did last year. After the new Jo-ann's opened in our neighborhood to much fanfare and a coupon blitz, a whole lot of people were in there shopping. A couple of weeks later I went in to buy thread and found the store practically deserted. Either everyone is at home sewing what they got earlier, or sticker shock is setting in. The reality is that the products that they sell are not necessities of life (except to those of us who are addicted to fabric). The consumer can force the price down by not buying when the prices get too steep, but businesses that operate on a narrow profit margin will not be able to afford to compete that way. Your store owner may be over a barrel and offering the best price she can right now.

On the other hand, something tells me that if there is a bumper crop of cotton next time, the prices are not going to go down accordingly. Over the years I've noticed that a bad year is a reason to raise prices on anything, but the recovery isn't passed on to the consumer. Back in the 1970's there was a sugar shortage and the price of sugary things, such as soda pop, went way up. I don't think it ever came down. A similar thing happened with the price of orange juice when a freeze killed the crop. Once the purveyors have established what consumers are willing to pay, they see no reason to get generous with us.

ShabbyTabby

It's a sign of the times and so many of us older ladies (me included) are living on fixed incomes and just can't afford those prices. I have done fairly well with the online outlets I use and have even started going through the closets to find good cotton clothes that I no longer wear and cut them up for quilts. I just love making them as that's about my only hobby, so will be digging into the stash and shopping for bargains.

mmb195152

I recently saw many fabrics at JoAnn's in the $12.00 range. Either way, my fabric diet has had to kick in by necessity.

topstitch

I shop at LQS in small towns and larger cities as I travel often. What I have concluded is where there is competition the prices are lower. Where there is no competition the prices are higher. I went in a shop in a small Virginia town where the policy stated it you purchased everything for your quilt in this shop and at one time, you were given a 25 percent discount.
I had gone in the shop only for the main fabric for my next project and ended buying everything to finish it including the backing and batting. I plan on returning often and think this shop owner is indeed a smarty.

QUILTNMO

yes she may not have a choice even wal-mart has gone up was watching world news this week saw where a tractor trailer overturned full of cotton first thing i thought was now fabric going up more

nancyw

I go to a shop that not onlyputs her new fabric at 11.999 but ALL the fabric in the shop was raised to that price even if it had been 9.99 the day before. How do you like the apples?

anita211

My little shop that I go to in a town with a population of about 3,000 has prices on new bolts at $12.50 to $14.00 a yard. She has no choice. In order for her to make any sort of profit, she has to charge these prices. I bought half a yard of some new stuff... I love it, but sighed when I gave her the card and paid $36.00 plus change for some leads for a marking pencil and 3 half yard cuts.

Anita in Northfield, MN

quilt'nmomma

I wouldn't pay $15 a yard for fabric. I actually wait until I visit my grandmother and go to her local fabric shop in a Mennonite community instead of shopping locally. I can get a lot of Moda fabrics for 6-7 dollars a yard.

nantucketsue

Here in UK we are paying over £10 to £12 per metre (approx. $16 to $20). So we get a couple of inches more, but it is still very expensive, considering a number of quilt shops have closed to save on overheads and are selling on ebay, and with the increased postal charges, the latest fabrics are becoming a luxury. I look for sale and special offers now, as I refuse to pay these prices. I have actually been able to purchase fabric from USA which, even with the shipping, has worked out cheaper. I know cotton prices have risen, but there is a limit to what people will pay.