Who doesn't like a place card?

I have a confession to make.  I'm not really a fan of those big, giant generic centerpiece table numbers that many venues allow you to use.  I knew from the beginning of planning that I wanted something a little cooler.  At first, I thought I could use the idea of the Mad Hatter's hat and put the table numbers IN the hat...

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OK, yeah.  Maybe not such a good idea.  But don't worry, a few weeks later I came up with a GREAT idea.

My "great" idea for place cards came from the pages of Martha Stewart (so it wasn't my idea at all, but an incredibly ingenious bride's).  She made flags out of different fabrics for each table and sewed a table runner in each fabric.  So, the guest found their flag, found their matching table runner, and sat down to enjoy their wonderful meal.  Awesome, right? Right.

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The problem is, I don't want to go completely ADD with fabric and I'm assuming I'm going to have between 35 and 40 tables at 8 a table.  That's a lot of different patterns to find in gold, indigo/deep purple, and green!  I've been thinking about branching out to red as well if I had to.  It's also an added expense that is a want and not a need.  I found $2.99/yd fabric at joann's but only about ten or so in the colors I'd like to use.

I decided I'd need two yards for each table, so *insert calculator sounds* that's over $400 for place cards which the venue provides for free.  Sigh.  I was thinking about buying a few different types of fabric each month so I could spread it out.  I just think the different runners will add a nice splash of color to the table and add some whimsy touches that I love.  It's also a lot to sew, but I'm up to the challenge (read: I'm crazy).

Do you know of better places online or near me to buy inexpensive fabrics?  What are you doing for place cards?