Compared with some other items, cotton prices aren't rising as much. Here's another interesting article about why cotton prices are increasing, but it's interesting to see how much the cost of other items have risen since 1990.

http://www.heartsongquilts.com/Data/...rcustomers.pdf

Well, I live in Texas and we have cotton fields all around.
Unfortunately, some of the cotton grower are now selling their fields to turn into housing developments.

Interesting article ~ Thanks for sharing.

thanks for the link. those rates of inflation seem huge. especially since 1990 does not seem that long ago.

I Just checked what current cotton is trading for ... First let me say it hit record highs in January trading for over $2.18 lb. This record was so dramatic concidering cotton traded at about . 62- .78 cents a lb for years. The current trading price is at about $1.60..( checked about an hour ago) this is still almost double the rate prior to the rapid escallation. Although current trading is lower than its historic high .... buyers of cotton would have locked in the prices for goods typically the year or 6 months prior depending on market conditions. It will still take a at minimum 6 - 12 months to see any market impact.
If you want to see real data , look at the cotton futures market .

She's right.

I have been trying to use from my stash and have not really purchased any fabric since before the Christmas holidays. I was astounded last week when I went into Joann's to pick up some fabrics to suppliment what I have for a scrappy quilt. $10.00 to $14.99 for some of their cotton yardage! And it was nowhere near the quality of quilt shop fabric. Needless to say, I didn't buy much.

My LQS has just said that new shipments of cotton will be $2-3 higher due to increase in cotton prices!