I watch Walmart for the occaisional chintz that I like to work with.

Most of my fabrics are batiks and that is the usual cost per yard. Sometimes more! And I heard fabric is going up in price (oh no!).

You really have to watch out about the shipping when getting things to Canada. I always make sure that anyone I buy from is willing to use USPS and not UPS. I very seldom have to pay any extra charges for duty even when I have ordered bolts of fabric. I have also never had anything go astray with USPS.

Same here in Australia. We are paying up to and including $24 per meter. But I try and get it for $10-15 at two of my favorite shops unless they have fabric for 1/2price then i try to get what is used more like greens blues,browns etc. You in USA are lucky to have fabric so cheap compared to us.

From what I have heard the rising costs are due to weather around the world being not the best for crops. Wheat will definitely go up with the problems in Russia and Egypt. Then of course the cost of shipping usually figures in...and business must make a profit (not a dirty word) or close. And that is not a pretty prospect.

Fabric in our area is 9 to 10+ a yard now...the fabric companies are charging them more and they have to pass the cost onto us on top of their shipping rates have gone out the roof....I consider the quality of the fabric....and I am all for keeping my LQS in business...I want her there when I need her...my dh and I travel alot and there are places that pay alot more then us here...blessings

[quote=canuckninepatch][quote=watson's mom]I too am Canadian:lol:, and have learned the hard and expensive way to NEVER use UPS when ordering something from the US. I always use USPS (United States Postal Services).

UPS has manages somehow to make themselves a:thumbdown: broker for the border and can charge you whatever :evil: they want :evil: when sending stuff across the border, PLUS :evil: their fee. Now they NEVER tell you this up front, but he :twisted: cost can be astronomical!
TreeFrog

I pay $9 a yard if I really love the material. When I start a project I go to my stash first and see if I have what I'm looking for and if I can build my quilt from there. If I can get a good start I add the new stuff. Most LQS in my area charge at least that, sometimes as much as $12/yard. I am getting ready to go to Pacific International Quilt Show in Oct and I know the prices are going to be $9 or close to it.
So I try to be very selective and will sometimes buy only 1/2 yard pieces.

except for vacations, never!

I've paid that much on occasion, if it's a fabric I REALLY really love - or something I needed desperately to finish a top. Otherwise, I shop the sales at my LQS and online, esp for borders & backings. Also trying to use more of my stash & make more scrap quilts !!