Cotton prices are going up... but there was a huge cost of raw cotton increase a few years ago. After the historic rise in raw cotton prices ... raw cotton declined not quite back to its previous prices but very close. It is tough to say of cotton will again reach the historic rise it did a few years ago.
It does take time for raw prices to convert into finished goods increases. Seeing how we quilters never saw the effects when the market for cotton dropped ( after the historic high) I am doubting this will impact us in the immediate future.
Additionally manufactures commit to the mills and contract to the for raw/base/griege goods typically a year in advance or more.
Manufactures have been adjusting their quanitities produced based on a declining demand from the higher prices.

I buy all my quilting fabric from QS's, but I do wait for sales. I retired 5 /2 years ago, and am now on a fixed income, so can't buy like I did when I worked. When I knew I was retiring, I started stocking up. Mostly what I buy now is backing for quilts, I have finished. How ever once in awhile they come out with a line I just have to have so will purchase some. I believe very strongly in supporting our Quilt Shops.

I have so much fabrics, doubt I will be buying much. Everything goes up all the time. Just the way it is. I'm sure it will go up, just a matter of time.

Yet another good reason to have a massive stash! (That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!)

Cotton prices may be going up again, but they fell DRASTICALLY soon after they went up in 2011. In 2011 they were over $2.30/lb but then went down to $80-90 CENTS a pound. (http://www.cottoninc.com/corporate/M...conomicLetter/) This was NOT met with a corresponding decrease in price of goods (strangely enough, LOL).

Fabric prices track our willingness to pay. The rest is greatly just an excuse, or else the fabric prices would have come down when cotton prices fell. If we just say no to $12/yard, the price will come down. So just say no.

I'm not blaming the retail stores. They are at the mercy of the fabric manufacturers.

I hate to give them any ideas, but it wouldn't surprise me if, instead of prices going much higher, they just decreased the width of the fabric. That's how it seems every other industry is doing things -- keeping the price the same but giving us less.

It's already narrower than it used to be...pretty soon we'll be back to the 36 inch width it was when I started sewing. I got some not long ago that was barely 40 inches wide. I shop thrift stores, yard sales and clearance at the fabric places. I have a big stash that I accumulated before retirement or I couldn't keep on doing it because I give away every thing I make.

im sure it will i only buy on sale or with coupons!!!

Easy to judge, but maybe they couldn't afford the full retail prices of an LYS.

My first thoughts as well.