I just went to a lecture by Bonnie Hunter. Her website is Quiltville.com. As I sat there she explained how to go to the thrift shops and buy old clothing and mens shirts and even bed skits from LLbean to use in the scrap quilts. She saves everything and uses everything from her fabric finds. On her site she has many ides and how to cut her finds. Also free patterns to download. She is an uplifting and amazing woman with a passion for quilting and using what is around as long as it is 100% cotton. I am lucky to have an extensive stash. I also have a comfortable life and do not worry about the cost of my fabric since I use it in my business. But I do worry for many like you that are on fixed incomes and maynot find the money for their passion. One thing you can do is ask your friends in the guild to save their scraps for you and use them to make your quilts. I have 2 friends that do this. Hang in there and get back to the roots of quilting use what you have!