I learned that I really dislike (HATE) solids. They suck up the light and don't offer anything in exchange, IMHO. I prefer fabrics that read as solids. And, as I am "evolving" in my quilting preferences, I actually tend to prefer my own hand-dyes over blenders. So, I tend to buy things that call me. I have a ton of brights that I often use because I love making quilts for kids. If I don't have a kid in mind, my local Linus person is happy for my quilts. That makes me happy because I love the entire process, start to finish, and am thrilled that the end product makes someone happy,whether I know them or not. I also often buy white-on=whites for backgrounds of applique projects or black-on-black for anything.
PS, I don't tend to buy fat quarters because there is simply not enough fabric if I like the print and too much otherwise. I'll buy fq's only if they call me and I will use them ASAP
Laurie