Being fairly new to my addiction, I really thought most fabrics were expensive until I started garage saleing, goodwill, asking friends, etc..... I have yet to build a "stash", but am not giving up!

I can go to my local quilt shop and buy fabric for $9.50 a yard...In checking our local Joanne's, the prices are up and the quality is just not the same...So no Joanne's for me at that price.......:(

Sandi

Will only buy on great sale or with coupon!!!

This is a subject that my feelings are way too strong on regardless if it's about fabric or other pricing increases. I'll spare you all my band stand speech on the subject but I do have a common sense suggestion to make.

I spent a weekend with a friend in the city recently. We spent two glorious days visiting, swapping fabrics with each other and teaching each other new techniques we've picked up along the way. She taught me paper piecing and I taught her how to do applique with permanent glue. We tried out dying fabrics with shaving cream and ink! She and I both had fabrics in our stash that we weren't really interested in working with again. So we traded fabrics! We didn't measure or keep track of how much each of us was getting, it was just a simple task of going through our fabrics and offering those that we didn't care for to each other. We both went away with lots of new fabrics and new ideas spinning in our heads. We had a lot of fun and neither of us spent any cash, well, except for the new restaurants we tried ;) I think it's a great way to renew or refresh your fabric supplies. I think a lot of us are just going to have to find more creative ways to add to our fabric stashes. I would personally love to see more trade offers on the classifieds here instead of just cash sales.

I usually go here: http://www.quiltshops.com/ to find my fabric. I either go by style, color, or I have the name of the line I am looking for. I type in what I want and then the word SALE and it brings up all the quilt shops that have what I want on sale and I look for the best buy. I have purchased from many different shops and have never had a problem with the item or the service.

I won't pay $10 or more for a yard for quilt fabric anywhere but a LQS. Fortunately, my favorite LQS has a great sale once a month and that's when I get what ever I want or need. I too, like a lot of members, have more than enough stash to keep me busy with the exception of possibly needing solids at some point. I found that when the prices were cheaper at Joann's, I spent more money and bought fabrics that I will probably never use. Now I am more picky about what fabrics I buy.

no, i can't afford those prices. time to get creative with my stash :)

I am at a show in Atlanta and yesterday I saw prepackaged half yd cuts at $7.50 with big sign over the rack that it was from Japan or Indonesia. Not batiks but regular cotton.
No different than US brands which are also printed in Japan.
I started a thread sometime ago to list out of the way places to buy fabric. Havn't seen any additions to it in awhile.

I usually look for sales when I can.

I have found quilt shop fabric online for less that 10.00- haven't paid that at all.
Look at the great sites and see- most ship very cheaply as well.
The only things I buy at Joann's are notions- I don't care what price their fabric is- I don't like it.