I've found batting, fabric (yds and bags of scraps), even some pre-quilted at our local thrift shops. You just have to look. Garage sales are good to but I have better luck at thrift shops. I buy flat sheets for backing. I also cut up worn clothes and save the good parts. Good luck!

Just put the word out that you are looking for fabric, many will be happy to donate. I dont have much luck finding it at thrift stores around here, but I am amazed at what people on the board manage to find.

The first thing I do at any fabric store is head to their clearance section. Joannes has a '40-50% off cpn in their flyers. One thing I've discovered at thrift stores is to look at their shower and window curtains. The prices are way better than their fabric prices and many are from JCPenney etc, big pieces and in excellent shape to cut or use for backs.

My quilt groups will provide all the material for their charity quilts. All I have to buy is thread and needles. I can even go choose the fabric from our shelves to make a really special quilt.

I keep quilting, I don't have to store more quilts, and those in need get something made with love.

ali

I only buy on sale or with a coupon and am lucky enough to have a discount store a couple of miles away. His most expensive fabric is the 108" at $5.74. What a buy. I also buy thrift store items, especially designer clothing such as Ralph Lauren in 100% cotton. It is lovely fabric. I make mostly applique and scrap quilts so I don't have to buy large quantities and I usually piece the backs.

I only buy on sale or with a coupon and am lucky enough to have a discount store a couple of miles away. His most expensive fabric is the 108" at $5.74. What a buy. I also buy thrift store items, especially designer clothing such as Ralph Lauren in 100% cotton. It is lovely fabric. I make mostly applique and scrap quilts so I don't have to buy large quantities and I usually piece the backs.

You could use old fabric, sheets for backings, you could go to a thrift store or ask around to see if someone has any they do not want, I get alot of mine that way, my lqs will sometimes sell me their clearance fabric for 2.00 a yard too. And use coupons when you can.

dye and print your own fabric.

i do and it costs me about $2 to $2.50 a yard and we all know hand dyed fabric sells for much more then mass produced.

I found great fabric in a bedskirt at the thrift store.

Most mill supply warehouse stores sell big boxes of cotton rags. These are scrap clothing and other cotton items torn into rags. You can get colored or lint free, which is really just any white cotton. The boxes are so tightly packed it's hard to pull out the fabrics. They are always good size pieces. Check the yellow pages for a mill supply store.