I've appreciated the observations/advice from a couple of you saying you'd focus on blenders/backgrounds. I don't necessarily always have a choice of what I purchase (thrifting is alive and well in my world), and those seem to be among the rarest of thrift store finds. I am thinking that when I next go to the LQS, I will be focusing my attention (with some difficulty, I'm sure) on the less eye-catching fabrics that will work well with whatever treasures I'm able to find in my thrift adventures. Is it just me, though, or are they the least likely to be on sale (and in stock) at any given time?
I should also confess that I have found I am more likely to plan my quilts around what I actually have (with judicious additions if absolutely necessary) rather than to go into a store with a pattern or list in hand. To me, that's part of the fun and challenge of quilting. :-)