Don't know how anyone (not just fabric manufacturers) can justify price increases when the economy is still in the tank. I'm finding the "sales" are on everything that has already been hiked up so the "sale" price is the old regular price. This way when (if) things return to normal that will be at higher prices all around.
Time to hit the thrift shops and start a new-deja vu-retro-brother-can-you-spare-a-dime chic trend. I predict plaid shirts will be in short supply...:)