What is sad about all this is the price of cotton has gone up but not to warrant the $1. and more per yard we are being charged. Someone always has to tack on a big increase for themselves when the cost of cotton or anything else goes up.

Trust me, that LQS is paying what you paid for that fabric. They have to increase the price they pay about 50% to cover their costs and make any profit. The places we buy especially in PA, NC and the such, they buy such huge quantities and most of the time, it is lst years or what the manufacture wants to get rid of--whatever the reason. Do I buy there--you bet, but I do make sure it is the TOP Quality only cause there is lots of other running around. Have never seen any top quality at Walmart but that doesn't mean it is certainly not usuable. Just what you can afford or want.

And of course, we all love to buy at the cheapest prices. The problem is that it is so diificult for us to know just where and what the circumstances are where things are manufactured, and to make an ethical decision that suits our budget based on that knowledge. Especially when we must just have that piece of fabric! Here in UK we pay an average of $25 per yard online but can find cheaper shopping around.

I live in the Mississippi Delta where cotton is King. So that news is great for the farmers around here, but if cotton prices sky rocket I might have to go raid a few field around here :wink:

I too live in cotton farming country. Though I won't be happy when the price shows up on cotton bolt goods, I am delighted for my farmer friends who have taken some really bad licks on their crop prices in previous years. Farming is a bigger gamble than the slots at casinoes.

One of our customers is a sports equipment salesman, and they are facing higher prices, too, on sports uniforms, etc. He said the reason cotton prices are rising is that the gov't is paying the farmers in cotton states not to grow cotton. Now cotton is grown in China and they don't know how to grow cotton. Hence, the higher prices.

I read that it did hit a all time high, but it has now gone down in price.

Since my local WM will be closing out its bolt fabric in February during remodeling, they are bringing in loads of "sale" fabric now before Christmas to make a killing. I plan to check them out every few days. I only live a mile away and I have my prescriptions there. I plan to buy only what I REALLY like. I have some new patterns in mind so will be able to buy in quantity. Also for backings and W&N if it's on sale. After that, I will be working almost completely from my stash.

Signing off. Master Gardeners meeting this AM.

I agree with all of you. Everyone is going to pay one way or another. I guess we trust in the Lord and do the best we can. If you look around "nothing is so bad it couldn't be worse". There are quilters out there who cannot afford any fabric and have no stash. So we should be greatful for what we do have.

When you consider that transoceanic freight costs have more than quadrupled in the last few years, is it any wonder the price of cotton (and everything else that comes from abroad) has gone up? I guess we can be glad that it's not worse than it is.