SO disappointing when best laid plans fall flat, isn't it?!! Sorry you couldn't find what you wanted at a store, no less, that everyone raves about.
One suggestion... have you looked at the Robert Kaufman fusions line? It's all the same (subtle) tone-on-tone pattern but comes in a great many colors. I use them all the time, especially for borders where I'm trying to blend with several other colors. Here's a link... scroll down...
http://www.robertkaufman.com/fabrics/fusions_5573/
Good luck!