I've noticed that a number of online fabric sites have a color-matching option. They show a little grid of colors, and if you click on one of the colors, it pulls up all the fabrics that (supposedly) have that color in it.

I have a lot of doubts about how well that would work... in reality, we take into account the visual "texture" of a fabric, not just the color.

My question is: have any of you made use of those online color matchers? How well do you think it works?

Buying outside of a fabric line when shopping online can be a challenge, when trying to match colors.
I would welcome any help on this :D:D:D

I generally do not buy coordinating fabrics. Not the matchy type, I guess. If I get in a pickle then DH helps me find the right fabric to go together.

As for the match system: As long as they offer a reasonable selection of fabrics that go together (color/scale/value/pattern/texture) there should still be the individual option to pick and chose what works for you. It's no different than going to the fabric store and starting with one fabric that you want to add to.

I like the one on Thousands of Bolts.

I have used the fabric selectors to choose coordinating print patterns because I have a problem "seeing" that a variety of patterned fabric can actually look good together. The selection guide on the selvage of the fabric helps me with color coordination, too.

I have used the one on thousands of bolts and was very pleased when I received the fabrics. They were exactly as pictured and I could have not done a better job if I had been in a quilt shop.