color for me first, then does the pattern appeal to me, then can it be used and washed after using it and will it hold togeather. I make quilts to use, I love to look at the beautiful quilts at shows none of mine will ever be in that class, but i love my quilts too, as the journy of picking out the fabrics or dyeing them for a quilt is half the fun piecing it and quilting it the other half the fun.After they are done most of mine go to friends and family.