I am much more comfortable picking a pattern/design first and selecting fabrics to go with the pattern. This feels like a much easier process for me than the other way around. That said, I do "occasionally" buy fabrics because I love them and or have a pattern in mind and I do 'try' to put said pattern with fabric before I forget. And yes, I have some in my stash that i wonder what in the world was i thinking ... lol.