Hi,
I looked at the number of DMC floss colors list and noticed that the pattern calls for 20 skeins of DMC Ecru which is where you are getting the increased cost. A way of reducing the cost would be to search for a fabric color that is close to the ‘Ecru’ color.
Hope this helps. I’m a stitcher on this ‘chat’ that saw your question. 🙂

Plus 17 skeins of DMC 738, Bermuda. And I counted roughly 50 single skeins, also. That's definitely going to add up! I think I would simply stitch the characters and skip the background stitches.

Thanks Susiebelle, I missed seeing the additional 17 skeins. That’s going to reduce the cost even more.
Like many other cross stitchers, I’m glad that I built up my DMC floss colors and fabrics ‘stash’ over time, so that it wouldn’t take such a big bite out of my expense account.

I vote for stitching just the design. I would also use a color fabric to mimic all that floss. All that fill in background? Pam

Hand-dyed fabric and matting would certainly follow the spirit of the pattern... 😊

Thank you all. Will just do the message. Brilliant