I did the same as Jan.. I began with Fqs' then quickly realized that wasn't enough fabric then moved one to 1/2 yards and still wasn't enough, then yards, and, well now i just buy the whole dang bolt....
im a scrappy quilter so everything goes.. the uglies and brights, the vintage to modern.. it plays well when it cut up small....
however if im working on a specific quilt, ill begin with focal fabric and find coordinating "POP" fabrics...