Searching For Elusive Fabric

I've made more log cabin blocks over the past week.  Here are a couple of photos that show the curves forming in the layout.

 

These blocks are not sewn together yet, just stuck to my flannel "design bed."

 

I'm not sure yet whether to go border or no border on this quilt.  My plan is to make enough blocks for the size I want without a border, see what it looks like on the design bed, then decide.  But I'm leaning towards the no border look, maybe with a strong binding color as a narrow frame.

My last log cabin was this Christmas version and it does have a border. 

If I decide to add a border to my curved log cabin quilt, I will need to buy some fabric because I don't have anything suitable in my Fig Tree stash.  Finding fabric from older collections can be tricky.  The stock at my LQS tends to turn over fairly rapidly, as it does at the online shops I use most often.  But in similar situations in the past, Quiltshops.com has come to my rescue.  Quiltshops.com is a search engine that allows you to search the inventory of a large number of independent quilt shops at one time, searching by color, manufacturer, collection name, or other search terms.  The results turn up with thumbnail photos and links to the shop's website so you can check the price and yardage available. You place your order directly with the member shop, on that shop's website.   I've used it several times to buy fabric for borders, binding, and backing and always been totally satisfied. 

As an example, I did a search for "Fig Tree Buttercup."  Buttercup is a fabric line from Fig Tree Quilts that Moda put out about three years ago.  Amazingly, some shops still have some of the prints in stock. 

So next time you are desperate for that specific something fabric, you know another place to try.