A huge portion of my stash has come from garage sales, Craigslist ads and thrift stores. Another big portion of it came from an online store that was going out of business a few years ago, I bought 50yds @$2yd. Then there's online store clearance and regular sales, JoAnns, Walmart, Hobby Lobby, and my favorite LQS. I'm an equal opportunity stash enhancer, lol.

Cari

I've never seen fabric at a yard sale or thrift store.....I use what I have and supplement it when needed.

I buy at a thrift store in my area if it is cotton. I don't need it because if I live to 100 I won't be able to sew what I have but I can't resist the urge to buy it.

This is what I do as well. First, I don't have room for a stash. Second, I'm not overly creative on my own and prefer to start with a pattern of some sort in mind. I do over-buy for that given pattern and will hang on to some larger pieces for small projects or test blocks but otherwise give my leftovers to another local quilter who is far more creative and prolific than I am. True 'scraps' I'll give to others.

My tastes change frequently and I'd hate to have fabrics hanging around that ultimately fall into the 'what was I thinking' category or the 'why didn't I buy more of this' category.

I did respond to the thread mentioned above. There is a lot of interest in this question. Another concept that I seem to get involved in fairly often is trading fabric with quilting friends. I am always up to giving pieces I have to a friend if it fits her needs. And, I sometimes shop in their stash for something I need. It is fun and a very social thing to do. I love to share with friends. We also borrow rulers from each other. Because I am quick to loan mine, I do not hesitate to ask if I can borrow one. This is true of books and patterns also.

I also look at clothing, bedding, and curtains as fabric sources when at yard/garage sales. Some of the fabrics in those items are awesome.

I don't see a problem with using repurposed fabrics in donation items if the fabrics still look new. Do any of you? (This might be a whole different topic - but I found myself feeling resentful of a couple of groups wanting donations that stated to not use repurposed fabrics. I wash whatever I use - and only use stuff that still looks new for these purposes.)

I like repurposed fabrics.........
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When I first started quilting in the early 90's I bought from Joann's and Hancock's. In the late 90's I spent more at LQS. I could afford it and it was higher quality fabric. Then LQS fabric was about $8.00 per yard. Now it's at least $12.00 per yard. My income has not gone up at the same rate as their prices.

I haven't done much quilting in the last 7 years and therefore haven't bought much fabric during that time. I've only found a small amount at thrift stores even though I frequently go thrifting. I don't care much for what I find at Joann's and it's a trouble to drive to the nearest one. I have bought some Walmart fabrics. I do order from online places that have lower prices. It's okay if the fabric line is a discontinued one.

This past weekend I did go to the LQS because I wanted some fat quarters of specific solids. I needed to see them in person to pick out what I wanted. I bought a couple of yards of some fabric they had on clearance for $5.99 per yard. I also picked up some batik fat quarters that were on sale and a bottle of Roxanne's glue.

I read some of the blogs written by quilt store owners that talk about how we should support them because they are just trying to support their family. That's well and good but I also have bills to pay.

One LQS near me closed last year after being around for about 18 years. I don't know if it was lack of customers or if the owner decided it was time to retire. I heard the other LQS is struggling. I noticed they are now offering online purchases. They've been around about 12 years. They have one employee who has never been friendly to me. Also, their fabric selection doesn't always match my tastes.

I cannot remember when I last paid full retail for fabric. I shop on line sales mostly and will buy whatever I like. I love having some stash so that I can just dream something up and put it together from what I have. I have bought a few collections as there are a few fabric designers that I really like - but only when I find them at a great price. I often sit on those collections for a long time until the perfect project presents itself.

For most of us, quilting is an optional activity. For some of us, our incomes have not kept pace with our expenses, so the optional/discretionary items either get minimized or eliminated.