Planning a quilt: My stash comes out on my big table. As colors and patterns catch my eye, the quilt design evolves in my head. I never follow a set pattern from books, yet use them as guidelines for expanding ideas. As for fabric purchases, I buy what I like from sales in stores, clearance tables, yard sales and thrift stores, etc. There's no rhyme nor reason, yet it all eventually comes together. The best plan is not to have a plan!