Sale on thread? Local shop here would never let that happen.
I usually buy thread when I travel, and find a good sale. It's a shame the local shop don't care to help their customer save anything. The price to take a class is outragous. I see newletters from other areas and the cost of class are less than here. Thanks letting me air, I would like to take classes but limited money makes it hard.

Maybe you could mention to some of your friends that you want classes and see if they know a place. OR, maybe you could start a group and meet once a week. Sometimes people get great tips from friends that is almost like having a class.

4 of us meet each Monday and sew, we have been together for over 10 years. A few have moved on or pasted away
added one. Hoping to increase. So many people still work full time it is hard to keep a group with the same people each week.