I do it both ways, sorry I can't help. Since you're a beginner and probably don't have a "stash" to do scrappy, why not go to Quilter's Cache and look through her patterns or try Goggling easy free quilt patterns, you'll get a ton of ideas, then try buying your fabric with a favorite color and get colors that will compliment it, if you need help, ask one of the clerks where you're buying the fabric at.