My stash has grown considerably also because of a mismatch of backings. Since I do most of my fabric shopping online anymore it is not like I can take the top with me. When I am planning a quilt I will consider the top. Occasionally I will find a matching print and then I buy it with the fabrics for the entire quilt at the same time. If not I will most likely use a related blender as I mentioned before. Maybe I should consider buying at a brick and mortar store and take the top with me for a better finish. It could start a new way of looking at backings. I do hope this is giving you as many ideas as it is giving me.

We seem to be polar opposites! I want the backing to complement the top. Even for charity quilts. Not saying exact match, as there simply is no way to ensure that, especially with charity quilts. But complementing the top is important to me.

We seem to be polar opposites! I want the backing to complement the top. Even for charity quilts. Not saying exact match, as there simply is no way to ensure that, especially with charity quilts. But complementing the top is important to me.

I quite often go right "off grid" with backings. I like to use flannel and the options are more limited - since I am not made of money. Made a quilt for DD that was yellow, green, blue on the front and the backing was an awful green/orange combo. Used scraps from the front to make the binding and there was enough green to compliment the backing. At the time I couldn't afford a coordinating backing.
Would probably do better if I made it today. But I always use prints for the backing since I machine quilt on my DSM and prints are forgiving....

When I am trying to coordinate fabrics, even when I can see them in the store, I take them outside and view them in natural light before they are cut from the bolt. I find too often that the lighting in the store will distort the true colors in the fabrics and threads. This is especially true of fluorescent lighting, even the so-called "daylight" bulbs.