Choo Choo Choosing by Auditioning Fabrics

There comes a time in just about all of my projects when "the best laid plans" get derailed by design, or otherwise go off track. Sometimes it is because my original vision for an aspect of the project just doesn't work. Sometimes it may be that the stash on hand doesn't quite stretch into enough yardage...occasionally by inches...to complete the job.This can be where an inch is as good as a mile. Anyway, when I am faced with those challenges, it's an excellent time to set up the stage for some old fashioned impromptu auditioning.

The first picture shows my originally planned engine base. Second photo auditioned, but seemed too dark. As soon as I saw the yellow, I knew we would soon be full speed ahead!

It has been a while since this project was on docket, so I actually don't remember how it was that I had to audition strips for the border, as well. I think it happened for one of the following reasons: 

• I did not want an all yellow border since the yellow was soooo bright.
• Maybe my yellow stash was depleted when it became the chosen fabric in the above featured audition. (?)
• Or...maybe ...and this is quite likely, I wanted more blue in the quilt. This was for my local grandson's 2nd birthday. Also, I really, really liked the blue (engine cab) fabric, and wanted to use what I had of it in this quilt.
  

 Yes, I see that I "say" I ran out of yellow, but I still think it may have been that third reason...wanting to use my (already strip cut) blue. 

Oh! A bonus  was using the same applique for his birthday tee! That dusky blue became the smoke puffs on the white tee. 

And these days the boy, now 3 years old, is using his quilt for cover. (He received it on his 2nd birthday, but wasn't into bed covers, yet, then.)

Do you find yourself auditioning fabrics "after the fact" of having chosen project colors, etc.?