When I first was introduced to quilting I was told it was an expensive hobby. My thinking was how expensive could it be--Grandma quilted and I never saw anything expensive in her home. Well she made quilts out of used clothing that people gave her. She would spend hours cutting 'fabric' for double wedding ring quilts that she hand quilted. I started with Wal-Mart fabric (that I refuse to buy now) and moved up to LQS. Guess where I shop for fabric now---your right---I shop at Goodwill. Brand names like Moda, Robert Kaufman, Northcott, etc. along with brand new flannel sheets for backing fabric. Yes some of the prints are 'out of style' but why does a scrap quilt have to be made of 'current style' material.
Living on a limited budget means cutting corners but not quality. I have never and will never spend $18 a yard for fabric. Grandma was frugal and wise---use it up or do without.