I am a magazine merchadiser too ...........I have no access ;(>> how do you do that ? :(

You got a lot of good answers...one more suggestion, Once you decide on your colors, make one block as a preview. It will be your guide if you decide the colors are right...have fun!

Ditter

When I want to substitute fabric I get into my stash of scrapbooking paper. I thought I wanted to scrapbook, bought a ton of supplies and then decided scrapbooking wasn't going to be my thing. I use the paper to help determine value and color selection. I go thru my fabric stash to find which ones I have the correct yardage amounts - then I look for scrapbooking paper in similar colors. I cut the block pieces from the paper, put it all together, play around a lot and then make the decisions for the fabric. I still make a sample block from fabric just to be sure I like my choices. I didn't think to post this tip before now, I hope it helps all of you that are hording a stash of scrapbooking paper and don't know what to do with it. :D

I use what I have.

I don't think I have ever used a fabric shown in a pattern. I like to make my own choices and come up with my own combination's. I may use the same color scheme and keep the values the same, but my own mix of fabrics.

I choose by values first. If you have problems deciding values, red and green plastic viewers are available to make choosing easier. Another option is taking a photo of several of your choices together, and converting it to black and white.

i squint at their color choices. you'll get a good idea of how much is dark dark, how much is dark, how much med, how much light, and how much is iight light.
and so on, depending on how many shades they used.

after that you can substitute any colors you like together. works for me every time.

Between you, me, and the gatepost, my guess is fabric companies provide patterns for quilts and then the magazine uses that company's fabric for the instructions - or the magazine makes the pattern and has a deal with the fabric companies..
That said, I have never made a magazine quilt with the fabric called for in the pattern - most of the fabrics called for are $$$ stuff at the high priced LQS and I don't go there.... LOL
I either use out of my stash (as I've said before, I usually by three to four fabrics as a 'quilt' - with no pattern in mind) or I might, if the pattern really jumps out at me, buy fabric with the pattern in mind....
Short answer, no, I don't use the fabric called for - and I'll use graph paper and colored pencils to figure out my colors.

option #1.

i always thought so, too.

me too- I have never used the fabrics called for..