Creative Vision? Fabric or Pattern Deja Vu?

I'm having an online bloggervation --a Jean(ie) invented word for a blog conversation--with Brandie of ABC.  This conversation got me to thinking about our creative processes.

I asked on my last post a question of buying fabric -- Are your fabric purchases planned or unplanned?

On Brandie's blog, she was describing that she got a recent catalog from Hancock's Paducah in the mail from her last order and was drooling over some fabric styles. Her latest obsession is red toile. LOVE red toile. It reminds me of the old Spode transferware dishes my grandmother had.

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Certain fabrics reach the workers in the design center of my brain instantaneously. It's like it's fabric deja vu. I don't know how to describe this experience other than the fact I "see" a certain fabric or grouping of fabric and it is already made up into a project. Those workers do a great job...LOL!

 

(image credit)

(image credit)

I replied in her recent post that the moment I saw a couple lines in the same catalog I "saw" THE project to make with those fabric bundles. If you take a look at Gallery in Red's Fat Quarter sampler by Marcus Brothers and their similar line, Gallery in Blue (both pictured above), I see the Halloween 1904 quilt pattern** (above) done with just the star blocks. Add a similar group of gold fabric choices and you have a quintessential American flag quilt. This is fabric deja vu.

Am I making sense? It's almost like I touch the fabric and see it's future -- Like in that novel/TV show the Dead Zone.

I've also had similar thing happen with a pattern -- Where I purchase fabric with no idea of where it's going and then I "see" THE perfect pattern and visualize it completed. This is pattern deja vu. This example would be the new Rosalie Sewing Card by Valorie Wells made using Splendor 1920s by Bari J. Ackerman.  And another would be the Aerial pattern by Carolyn Friedlander made with Marcia Derse's color-infused  fabrics.

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I know this is creative vision at work. Do all quilters experience this fabric/pattern deja vu? Do you experience this vision? Is creative vision/deja vua common thing? Is it a special gift? How do we nurture this vision? (buy more fabric? Hahahahaaha!), How can one acquire this vision/deja vu?

Please sound off on this. I'd love to hear what you have to say.

**   I have a deep affection for the Halloween 1904 pattern. I love the versatility of it. I normally don't go for the uber-traditional primitive thing or Halloween, but this is a great jumping off point.  Just change the Halloween applique designs to create a different look. Blackbird Designs created one heckova winner with this pattern. Btw, this pattern was introduced to me by Thelma over at Cupcakes and Daisies. The moment I saw this pattern, I had to have it. See her version of this wonderful quilt. You'll want it too!

On a side note, I started on my millefiore project. I started off making a sample piece. Scrapped it due to scale. I scaled it way too large. Will try it in a smaller piece size and see how it turns out. It's going to replace my hexies. Going to give my hexies a rest.

Whew! I had a lot to talk about... be sure to chime on on today's questions of the day.