My DDIL works for Leisure Arts and she gives me books & leaflets for presents. Needless to say, I have plenty of resources for quilt patterns. I really think it depends a great deal on one's exposure and quilting experience and color preferences how one arrives at their decisions. More often, I will see a quilt in a picture and like it and know I can make my version or just a portion of a quilt and go from there. Seldom use another person's pattern unless it is a project with a class. I like learning new techniques and the challenge of making something "Too hard". Seeing tv and nature with the purpose of analyzing colors is a past time of mine. Love seeing young people's work and what they like. It is a fresh, new way with shapes and colors.