Mine started with buying 1-2 yds at a time at Hancocks when they had a sale, friends knew I was starting to quilt, so they gave me fabric, went to thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales are great..seems like once you start looking for cotton fabric, you fine all kinds, like hitting you in the face LOL and then the next thing you know, you are saving money just for buying fabric. I also joined a swap link and thats alot of fun too.