I have bought fabric because I love it and put it aside till I decided to make a quilt with it and other times I have bought a pattern then the fabric.

When I first started quilting, I bought the pattern and then the fabric. Then I started to buy fabric that I loved without benefit of pattern. Now I have a large stash, so I pick a pattern that I like and go through my stash to see what I think will look good in the pattern. I usually make a sample block (or work in EQ) to see if I like the way the fabrics look together. If I don't have everything I need, then I go shopping :).

Welcome to the Club!! But seriously study the fabric and a pattern for it will appear!

I read the pattern - see how many colors it calls for - then begin to match fabrics that would work together for the pattern - wahlah - next thing you know you've gotten rid of some of your stash and you have a beautiful quilt

Just a suggestion - that is how I do it anyway...... as my stash extends from my sewing room out to a big cargo trailer - so lots to choose from - all categorized in boxes whetehr it be color (solids, prints, batiks, etc) so just reach for the box(es) that you want... a fun way to "shop" in your own stash.

I have made many of quilts buy seeing the fabric first and hanging in on my wall until I get an idea of what to do with it. But I have the best ones on the wall so I see them each day. If I put them in the closet I forget about them. Try the disappearing 9 patch. good way to get rid of the stash and you can make it any size. just google that name. good luck

I would look for a pattern, then check my stash and coordinate from there

I have assessed my process. I get the desire to do a pattern then I fill in the blanks with fabrics I just bought and didn't have a chance to put away.

I like to pick a pattern first, go through my stash then go buy more fabric.

Fabric and then pattern....wait....pattern then fabric....oh shucks. I can't remember.

I'm often drawn to a pattern by the color palette used in the picture and I have been known to use similar colors.
However, my stash is so large, I never buy fabric for a particular pattern - I always shop from my stash