draw a rough quilt ...don't need to be exact. make a few copies to play with. then use colored pencils to decide on color placement ...or get ideas for. then look for fabrics in colors close to what you decided on...and mix it all up...microprints look great mixed in with large prints/florals. plaids look amazing mixed with calico prints or even bali fabric...there are no rules..that is why i love quilting :D