Fleece and copper question.

I have never used horticultural fleece before, and with my seeds being sown in my new raised beds, I was wondering if there is a cheaper alternative to going out and buying it. I have a sheet of thin wadding that you would use to put in the seat of a kitchen chair ie about 1cm thick, very spongey light stuff. Do you think it would do instead? Now I know that it is probably a stupid question but someone might be using some alternative material.
I have also ordered some copper tape to put round the edge of the beds to keep slugs away. I was thinking that some 'Geoff Hamilton' type gardeners among you might have found cheaper forms of copper to put round their plants. Any ideas would be welcome.