Krystyna

Have you looked at this business? http://www.theozmaterialgirls.com.au/
A few years ago I used to order from them regularly because they had religious prints that I couldn't find anywhere else. It might be worthwhile to look into their wholesale inquiry area, too.

annesthreads

This is a tough one. Prices here in the UK are so high, but if we don't support our LQS we'll lose them. But if I always did buy here, I wouldn't be able to do as much quilting as I want to, because I'm on a small income. So I do a mix. Sometimes, as someone else said, I want to get the colours exactly right or try colours together or look for ideas, and then I'll shop locally. At other times when it's not quite so crucial or I want backing fabric, I might buy online from the States. All my (American) threads are now bought here, because I've found a great supplier. And actually it's not always that much cheaper to buy from the States by the time I've added on postage (USPS rates seem to have gone up) and at times when the exchange rate is against me. Plus if I buy more than 3-4 yards, the parcel might get stopped by Customs, and the duty then makes it MUCH more expensive. I'm always looking for the bargain, the cheapest way of getting my supplies, and just have weigh it up each time.
When I come to the States next year, I'll probably need an extra suitcase when I come home :-)

GingerK

I do not have a 'local' quilt store. Ours closed a couple of years ago. Too bad too. We were sooo happy when she openned, but she really got in our faces when we signed up for a class and then came with our own material or brought in a top or pattern for help and did not purchase anything. I used to check thru the window to see if the owner was in or just one of the clerks, before entering. With the price she was charging for classes, I just could not buy her fabric too.

But I do buy from the US online. Often it is a specific fabric that I have seen in a magazine or at a store. My DH works mostly in the US so I can have it shipped to his hotel and save postage and duty.

charisma

www.darncheapfabrics.com.au - 113-115 Burgundy St, Heidelberg Victoria - (03) 9455 0699 - Small selection craft fabric - $6.50 metre

Gj's Discount Fabrics 443 Lygon St, BRUNSWICK EAST, VIC, 3057 Phone: (03) 9380 2989 - Vast selection - $22.00 metre

Craft Collections Unit 1, 13 Mummery Crescent Bunbury WA 6233 (08) 9791 1961 - Vast selection - lastest fabrics - $22.00 metre

Bunbury Sewing Centre Unit 1, 13 Rose St, Bunbury Michele (08) 9791 2740 - Good selection - $22.00 metre - Hires out her long arm quilter (on the premises)

Textile Traders (West Australian fabric chain) Seconds - $11.00 to $15.00 metre. Bargain table $7.50 for 1 1/2 metres. 20% off with Member Card.

Spotlight - National fabric chain - Big selection - price varies - average $16.00 metre.

Online is a bit of a trap even with the favourable exchange rate. I've bought some absolutely gorgeous fabric online but matches nothing in my stash or my LQS.

LQS is cheaper in the long run because it takes the guess work out of matching colours and I save by not buying fabric that ends up a mistake. Also, the hour or so browse time provides me with a degree of meditation. Ahhhh....