The original poster is in Canada, which (partly) explains why the FQ was so expensive.
A metre (3" longer than a yard) of LQS quality cotton is between $18 and $26/m here. Which still makes $8.00 for a FQ ridiculous.
There is a regular fabric store here that charges outrageous prices ($36.00/m for batiks) but has lots of 50% off sales...if you're a member.
All of this makes me happy that I live near a border and can occasionally go to Joann's to get fabric where the selection is 5x's as great at less than half the cost even with the difference on the money. (Now, if my stash just holds out until the border opens again!)
Watson