It can go either way. A pattern can inspire you, or a fabric can inspire. You're lucky because you're in Richmond and have one Quilting Adventures which is of the greatest LQS in the US. Just step in the door there and you'll get inspiration. Sure wish I was closer to it.

My first quilts were twins for our bedroom. I chose the colos first and then decided on the d9p, fortunately I had my daughter to help with the math....but the next one will be a patch with leftover material - some cottons from blouses and skirts...just for fun !

If you're unsure at what kinds of fabric/colors to buy I would suggest looking at pictures of quilts and write down the ones that really excite you, then preceed to make one of your own.

I see the fabric that says-buy me-I take it into the stash pile and decide later what to make out of it

I look at what I have in fabric, as I can't buy any, and then decide what I will do. God bless.

It helps me to pick a pattern by looking at the person I'm making the quilt for. This also helps me choose the fabric.
Especially when it comes to crib/lap quilts, theres so many wonderful childrens fabric available. Look at where and how the quilt will be used may help you also. Bed quilt? should coordinate with the persons room colors. The persons personality will help with colors and pattern as well.
Good luck and have fun.

I have also put out the word to "all friends" that when they go to garage sales and/or second hand stores....I am looking for 100 percent cotton material. I pay them back, and have gotten yards and yards of pieces of colors. Then, have used them successfully in quilts. Of course, imagination and courage always work. Then, if I need 'supplemental' colors to finish, it is easy.

Wow, it goes both ways. Today I got fabric for a future quilt that needed a 6th print for. I am also collecting fabrics for 3 other quilts and don't have any idea what pattern I am using.

There are pros and cons to buying the fabric before knowing the pattern... mainly, will I buy enough? There are deals out there that are just too good to pass up and that's when I buy a few yards of each.

If you pick a pattern, you will have a better idea of what you should be shopping for. I made my daughter a queen size in teal, taupe and cream and she loved it (teal is her favorite color). The pattern was simple and I couldn't wait to wrap it for Christmas. My other daughter wants a simple Italian flag. Working on that too.

The patterns for beginners are something like a four patch square. That goes fast and it's simple. Also a strip quilts pattern. Good luck.

I recently saw the most exquisitely made lap quilt of maple leaves on beige background and the quilting was maple leaves too------BUT as the fabric was purchased abroad and found to be too little sadly resulting in a ridiculously small quilt, so whatever you do plse don't fall into this trap.

So glad to hear this...Question: when you do wake in the middle of the night do you also go ahead and start the coffee pot, sleep is usually the furtherest thing from my mind at that time :)