Sell some items on ebay that you don't want around the house, then use the money you make to buy fabric.

And check out the classifieds here. Also I subscribe to Sewitsforsale and Quiltersfleamarket, thhey are two websites that people sell sewing related things all the time. You can also post ISO to find something specific.

I bought a Long Arm hoping to quilt for others to support my habit but of course as soon as I did the price of cotton when sky high.

My grandmother babysitted several older children on weekends that were too old for day care but too young to stay by themselves, to make extra money to supplement their fixed income. She had more fun then the kids! They baked, sewed, worked in her garden, watch movies, played games.

Good point!!
While I don't hand quilt or piece, I have made up my mind to be more selective as to which patterns I choose. So ones that take more work, will slow me down and not see me out of work, quite so fast! :)

I know many on TRUE fixed incomes that are looking at NOT quilting much longer!
Especially those that used to send them out for the quilting!
Many are going back to more hand work so it takes them longer to get one done!

Some just can not afford the fabric, threads, batts, etc...quilting is getting way too costly..

and around here the thrift shops are HIGH...

Watch the clearance shelves also. I found great prices on batting in pkgs. at Hobby Lobby. I'm not particular as I mostly make charity quilts.
I spread the word and folks give me their fabric they no longer want.

I just used a clean but stained mattress pad for the "batting" inside of a wall hanging. Pretty soon, I'll have to start collecting cans so I can afford to buy toilet paper and cat food. My cat hates it when we are out of TP. ;-)

I tried to sell my ex-DH there, but it would cost way to much to ship him. :lol:

Hey Jackie - that's half the fun. Finding the deals...
You'll get what you need a little at a time, piece by piece.
I never buy batting unless it's 50% off - then I buy a fair amount. After that, the trick is storing it all.:)