And I will be shopping my stash - because I refuse to pay over $6 a yard for fabric - notice I didn't say I wouldn't buy 8, 9 10 or 12 dollar fabric - I said I wouldn't pay over 6 dollars for it... because the 12 or 15 dollar fabric tomorrow was the 8 dollar fabric last week and the 5 dollar stuff a few years ago.
I got some nice stuff today on the year end mark-downs and it's probably all I'm going to be buying for a good long while - unless of course, all this talk of higher prices is just that - talk!

Sorry, JJs, it's not "just talk".

I'm looking right now at a 16% increase in the prices of Christmas 2011 fabrics over what the same (identical) fabric would have cost this year in 2010.

We would all LOVE to be able to buy wonderful fabrics next year for the same prices as we have in the past, but that's not going to happen. I just hope that the readers on the forum understand that it is not the fault of your LQS that the prices are going up. And that if anyone is hoping that your LQS can absorb the increase, while their other costs continue to rise (payroll, benefits, rent, utilities)... you may find that in a year or two, with broken hearts and empty pockets, they close their doors for good.

It won't happen immediately... but 2011 is going to be a very trying year in the fabric business.

Well, if folks have good jobs and can afford to absorb a huge increase in fabric costs - good for them...
or if, unlike this little ( :mrgreen: ) old lady, they have unlimited funds in retirement and can run to the LQS and buy buy buy just because they want it - good for them....

We are on the proverbial 'fixed income' - and according to odumdum there's no cost of living increase again this year (I'm sure you haven't noticed that the cost of groceries is going up and up and the SIZE of containers is going down and down - but you didn't notice so it doesn't count), and in the last week or so we are being warned that the price of gas is going sky high ... so even less 'disposable' income to spend on fun things - like quilting...
So will 'make do' with what I have - but be assured that I saw this coming and I have a HUGE stash, AND batting, AND backing, AND thread... so I'm good....
This discussion has been going on for almost this whole year, so nobody can say they didn't see it coming....

I love this board so much...it's a wonderful place to share ideas and information and friendship. However, in JJ's post I detect sarcasm and disrespect which I feel has no place on this board. Please, let's keep it friendly and respectful so all can enjoy this board as a "safe place" without political rancor. There is enough of that on the outside world.

Thank you for expressing so well what I also felt on reading that post.

The Canadian and US dollar are on a par with one another - that doesn't happen very often.

Here's what I'm *hoping* will happen for next year.

For anyone who's on a fixed income - and for those of us who never planted a money tree in our backyards - who still want to enjoy our hobby:

If we're lucky enough to have the same amount to spend on fabric as last year, instead of buying 10 yards of fabric, we'll have to settle for 8 and use 2 from our stash.

That way, we still get to do what we love :-) not spend more doing it :-) not compromise on the quality of the fabric we're using :-) and reduce our stockpile a bit too. :-)

And if we find some good sales along the way, that's an added bonus.

2011 can still be a good year for quilting if we buy thoughtfully and keep a positive attitude. Right?

I think you're onto something, Favorite Fabrics! We can still have good quality fabrics, use up our stashes and make great quilts. It's all about the attitude! Yea for you!!!

No situation, either good or bad, lasts forever. And most of the things going on in our worlds we cannot control or change, anyway. But we *can* take charge of our outlook and our perspective. And choose to be happy, and enjoy the good things we have within our reach. :-)

I second that motion. Please stay friendly.