check out the accuquilt cutter but you can also practice with the rotary cutter, you will get better with practice. Enjoy the process, it is addictive and comforting When I'm "down" I can always feel better sewing a charity quilt or just enjoying my "little bit of heaven" space I have

I accidently found inexpensive way to add to my stash! At Joanne's, they will sell the end of the bolt at a great discount (sometimes 75%off). so, when I'm in "stash building" mode, I try finding almost empty bolt and estimate what is left on it. (and yes, I have unrolled it and done the "spread arms" measuring technique!) Then I ask them to cut a smaller amount and score the rest at the discount! Not the same fabric quality as a quilt store but my wallet likes it better! The hard part is answereing the "what are you going to make with all that"! The answer "I don't know yet" don't seem to mean much! Someday he will remember not to ask!

Nokie, Go to www.ConnectingThreads.com and have a look. There is a sale in progress at present on some the fabric from last years designs (30 to 60% 0ff) - Batiks are 40% off @ $4.16 per yard (great assortment). The regular price for design sets are $5.96/yard. Their newest line is 100% cotton lawn lightweight fabric called Matsuri @ $6.96/yard.
They also sell books, thread and additional notions. The notions are usually cheaper at Joanns especially with the coupons. Good hunting and so glad you have joined the quilting world. Sandy 64

Hello:
You can buy fabric right here on QB. Most is from quilters, so they know if it is correct for quilts or not. I have received nice fabric from #1Piecemaker, top notch. I use rotary cutters and understand your frustration with automatic cutters. People powered ones are tough enough, but you are in control. Don't cut yourself now.
We usually cut fabric into strips then into pieces (squares). As you get more adventurous, you can add more tricks. Don't use the curtains for your first project. Someone mentioned washing the pieces, but be sure to do it in a pillow case or a mesh bag. Otherwise you'll get too many ravelings from the curtains. It is wise to GENTLY launder the 100% quilting fabric and iron it afterwards. This will ensure a good quilt when you're done. Good luck and happy quilting.

WOW!! Ya'll are quite a wonderful bunch, I can tell. Thank you SO much for all the info. And I'm very pleased to say I have already done most of what was suggested - I have a good Olfa self healing mat, an Olfa cutter (the retracting one with the pinking blade too), several rulers (the newest of which I got yesterday at Hobby Lobby that has a lip edge on it and is LONGER than my mat - I think that was part of the problem) and several other goodies. And thanks to ya'll - I skipped the automatic cutter. I did go look - but when there wasn't one I took that as a sign from above and told my husband "I'm going to follow my quilting ladies' advice and use my rotary cutter instead and save the $80 bucks I would have used for the cutter on fabric!" AND - I found a GOLDMINE of fabric at our local thrift store that is associated with the association of the blind. They had bags and bags of fabric for not very much - and some very nice sheets for backing. I even did the hand trick to check to see if they were thin and discarded a few I had picked up. Now to get my crafting space in order (OY!) and tackle the binding on this quilt...again...for the umpteenth time...LOL..but I'm learning..(I repeat that often..under my breath...over..and over..LOL)

You can get 100% cotton shirts at Goodwill or the Salvation Army stores and cut them up into blocks or strips. Some of these stores also sell fabric, sometimes people donate it. Connecting Threads, Thousands of Bolts, and Marshall's Dry Goods are good places to start online for good prices on Fabric. Maybe check out your local Wal-Mart? Some of the ones around here have started carrying fabrics again. Just be sure to check them to make sure they are not flimsy. Sometimes people sell fabric here on the board, that's worth checking out! Good luck fabric hunting and have fun!

Oh, and for all you wool lovers out there, my cousin buys wool coats from Goodwill and the Salvation Army stores, cuts them up and uses the wool for crafts and dolls. She says it's cheaper than buying wool.

Rotary cutters are the best thing since sliced bread BUT be careful they do have a wicked 'bite' -- VERY important -- do not use with bare feet. If it ever drops off the table while open --- a good friend of mine lost several weeks of work after a cutter accident, did somethig VERY nasty to her foot.

Nokie: Yes, fabric is expensive. So you might look at yard/garage sales for fabric or old clothing in patterns you like; sometimes the Thrift stores near me have material/fabric pretty reasonable, so you might try them as well. I use blocks I have made from my daughter's clothes that she cannot wear anymore, as they have cute patterns or colors I like (she's 5 now). Plus, I have used some old dresses I have no chance of ever getting back into, due to the middle-age spread! LOL Some quick inexpensive ideas. You might ask your friends and family who are not quilters if they have any material they need to be rid of; my boyfriends sister and mother have given me some great material they never use or it didn't work out for what they needed.
Good luck!

Oh, about the rotary cutter, I bit the bullet and bought a package from Fiskars that has a 5" x 17" ruler and rotary cutter together at Walmart. I totally love it and I would be hard pressed to give it up now.

Have you ever seen the quilts of the women of Gee's Bend, Alabama? In the old days, many women used old scrap cloth and made beautiful quilts. I'm working on a quilt made of men's dress shirts, and when I sent out an e-mail to my DH's friends for shirts, the number of them who dropped bags on my doorstep stunned me. Sometimes, a low bank account is the best stimulant for our creativity. Good luck!