Making a quilt, for me, is a creative challenge, a sense of accomplishment, and the joy of giving. But one of the biggest challenges can be finding just the right fabric for the project.

It needs to be the right color, the right value, the right design—and a whole host of other things that somehow only make sense once you see the fabric!

When looking for that perfect piece, we typically have two choices: brick-and-mortar quilt shops or online retailers.

But I’ve been wondering… do you shop for fabric differently depending on where you’re shopping?

When I’m in a quilt shop, I may walk in with a specific color in mind, but I’m usually open to whatever catches my eye as I browse the rows of delightful prints. I might discover a fabric I never would have searched for online!

But when I shop online, I find myself being much more specific. I’m often looking for a particular color design from a specific fabric line, or designer.

So, what about you?

Do you approach shopping for fabric differently in a quilt shop versus online?

Are you a “I know exactly what I want” shopper—or a “let me wander the aisles and see what inspires me” shopper?

In the end, I suppose it doesn’t really matter how you find it—as long as you discover that elusive piece of fabric that makes the whole quilt come together. Tell me about your fabric-shopping style in the comments!