I am in Tasmania, Australia. Lots of the LQSs here closed down. The one left in town (other than a sewing machine distributor with some fabric) charges about $26/metre. This shop usually has a container of FQs for 3 for $20 and I often shop from them. Otherwise FQs are about $6.50 each. I shop thrift shops and garage sales too, especially for cotton sheets I use for foundations for string blocks. It is worth talking to the management of the local thrift shop if you never find fabric - the one here the workers used to toss scraps because they thought no one would want them. I love to sew scrappy quilts, mostly for charity, and am happy every time I find some scraps to add variety.