I zero in on fat quarters that I cannot get around here. I adore fat quarters from very fancy, sparkly, metallic fabrics and I usually find a lot of them in Paducah every year. Also, I see quilts/tops made from patterns that are on display at the various vendors. Sometimes a pattern does not catch my eye, but if I see a quilt/top made from the pattern, then it is easier to visualize it. So, I buy (or not buy) a pattern from seeing it "done up". HTH