I have been quilting for about 5 years and still consider myself a beginner! There are simply so many things I don't know yet, so I still ask lots of questions....and get lots of great answers in a variety of different methods. About using Plaids and dots in fabrics...I try not to because I don't like the look when the cut doesn't match the line in the fabric. I have had a hard time with the trendy chevron fabric because it never follows the grain, nor will it be printed straight (you can run your ruler along the points ok for a few inches, then the points go uphill) causing me immense grief. So this quilter tries not to use those fabrics.....and quality/cost doesn't matter.