Hi try a quilt shop for more varity of flannel, they usually have solids as well as prints. also try on line if yu cannnot find any thing where you live, or your shop may be willing to order something for you.Always use the best fabrics you can afford. Why make something and not have it last. and the results are much more satisfying . good frabic speeks for itself when you look at a compleated project.I go on line and buy flannel sheets usually landsend or Pennys, it is a great bargan for qulaity frabic.All the questions yu asked are good ones, how do you learn? and that is what lines like this are for. good luck