i have paid $12 a yard for fabric from my local quilt shop that was thin, hard to press, and had slubbed flaws in it. I also have bought fabric off the clearance rack at WalMart for $1 a yard that was heavy and made a beautiful quilt for my Mom's 90th birthday. I would not paint all fabric from anywhere with the same brush. Just touch it and look it over before you buy, no matter what kind of vendor you choose.