If I don't have a pattern in mind I will put the fab's away. Generally I let the fabs tell me what they want. Sometimes I will run across a pattern that will be perfect for fabrics I have already. For about a year I had been collecting black, white and red without a pattern in mind then about 3 weeks ago I saw a pattern in a magazine and knew it was perfect for those fab's. Now if I could just find the time to work on it.