So expensive! Here, this is the only store that I sometimes find what I need" no wonder I shop mostly online!

In Ontario, Fabricland is having a Members' 50% sale on Nov. 21. I must say that I am becoming more and more disenchanted with my local store. The prices are skyrocketing and there is a distinct lack of variety of fabric.

Check out Backside Fabrics online. I have found them to be very reasonable and they will send you samples for free or a very nominal charge.

Connecting Threads will ship free to Canada with a min. $75 order. Seems this would be the cheapest way to buy fabric, especially their clearance fabric where many are under $3 a yard.

I would check with stores that will ship to Canada and do some serious shopping on the day after our Thanksgiving holiday and stock up during the sales. Already making my list and checking it twice!

Check out Bib and Tucker in Victoria. She often has the wide backing on sale. The website is the place to sign up for the newsletter. Be mindful of the hours, she is not open on Friday.

Each month she has a colourway or theme fabric on sale, the more you buy the more you save.

Also if you have a fabricland membership, you will never pay full price on any fabric.

I don't know if they carry wide backings but this online Canadian shop seems to have reasonable prices and free Canadian shipping. http://www.quincysquilting.com/shop/Fabric.htm

I do too, use and always have used "sheets". Hand-quilting is my thing and sheets can either be white, or colored, depending on my mood. They hold up very well, and can be washed as needed.

I am in Southern Ontario and buy many of my wide backings at the Mennonite shops in the Elmira area. They range anywhere in price from $12-$24 a metre which is good for Canada. I also use sheets which I pick up from Len's Mills (Guelph or Hawksville) and piece some of my older yardage.

I know some shudder at the use of sheets for backing but I have used them sometimes and have always had good results. I just completed two baby quilts for Santa's Helpers and used a soft mint green and a soft yellow sheet from a local thrift store to back them - they are so nice and soft. I don't know why using sheets for backing is frowned upon but they work for me and with the cost of fabric going up up up, I think I will keep using sheets for some quilts.

Creative Sisters in Kitchener has a good selection of wide backs at good prices. Such a nice shop.