quilterguy27

So many of you from around the globe have talked about the outragous price of fabric where you live, including right here in the USA. I was wondering if, when you are quoting a price in your neck of the woods, you are quoting in your native currency or in US dollars. I guess if we knew the currency exchange we could figure it out. Can anyone answer this for me? Thanks! Inquiring minds want to know. Regardless of where in the world you are, we are all paying way to much for fabric these days, no matter your currency.

redquilter

We're paying way to much for EVERYTHING!

hobo2000

According to the Wall Street Journal, cotton will increase 22% the first of the year due to weather and wars.

Twilliebee

Right at the moment, the Australian dollar is worth 91 cents US and 95 cents Canadian. So there's not a lot of difference. The Aussie's seem to be paying the most per metre. If you were shopping in Australia right now, you'd be paying on average between $15 and $28 US per metre. A metre is 39", a little longer than a yard...........but probably not an extra $10 worth!
I'm a big fan of reusing and scavenging. I've gotten some awesome 100% cotton fabric from good quality bedskirts at the secondhand store.
I also like trading fabric out of my stash. Get to see something new to me, and share a nice fabric with someone else, too.
What are you going to do if fabric prices go up? Got any good thrifty tips and suggestions?

tabsmonsters

I get most of my fabric off base even though the craft store on base is slowly getting more fabric in. The shop I frequent the most has very nice cotton fabric for 525yen/meter. With the current exchange rate of 82yen= 1USD I pay about 6.40 USD per meter. There is one fabric store that has some awesome fabrics but insane prices, 1500yen/meter which is about $18 USD/meter. I can't imagine having no choice but to pay that much. I would be really limited on what I could buy.

quilterguy27

sounds interesting so far. keep 'em coming. as for tips, I say go to thrift stores and garage/yard sales and buy good quality cotton clothing and recycle it. That's all I can come up with for now. It's how I started and what I know, so it's what I will go back to.

gale

So you're in Okinawa now? Where are you stationed? We lived at Kadena AB when I was a kid. There were no craft stores on base back then. Only the BX and they didn't have any crafty stuff.

loopywren

I have looked at the most recent exchange rate I can find..we pay on average $20 dollars a metre,( 39 inches) this is for patterned cotton,plain can sometimes be a little cheaper. I think part of the problem is various taxes, but also because we don't have many places to buy it keeps the prices up, less competition. It is difficult to find quilt shops, I buy at a quilt show in Birmingham once a year and the rest of the time on line. In small quantities only. I could not bear not to quilt. I have not had a lot of luck in thrift shops finding 100% cotton, just about everything seems to have synthetic in it as well.

Cuilteanna

The euro/dollar rate is 1.26 right now, which makes a 14 euro metre of fabric (39" as opposed to 36") $17.64 in US currency. More patterned fabric would be around 17 euro per metre, which works out to $21.42 US.

patricej

i live in the Continental United States so i know i'm fortunate when it comes to this issue.

i look for sources that charge prices i consider acceptable. i shop the sales and/or vendors whose regular prices are reasonable. i refuse to pay high prices. period.

taxes and customs fees are a big problem for our international friends. if you know of shops that others might be able to afford, please let us know. provide information about starting price per yard and final cost after all costs have been added. don't forget to tell us where you live. (no addresses. just country and region or city if it makes a difference.)

i'll volunteer to start, post, and maintain a list once i've received some "nominations", so you can also send me the info by pm.