Calm Neutrals Are Taking Over Quilting—Here's How to Join In

David Moore · 2026-08-01

Welcome to Sewing the Trends, a fresh series where we'll build one quilt together while unpacking a different quilting trend in each post. First up? Calming neutrals. With Pantone naming Cloud Dancer—an airy, almost weightless white—as its Color of the Year, it's no surprise that soft, soothing shades are stealing the spotlight. This trend gives us the perfect excuse to let Background Bundles shine in your next project. Plus, we're giving those leftover Fat Quarters a second, stylish life in your sewing space by revisiting our favorite sewing room DIY from the brilliant Lori Holt: Design Boards. ### Why Calming Neutrals Matter Right Now The Pantone Color of the Year always offers a window into broader fashion and decor movements. Think elevated basics on celebrity street style or minimalist yet inviting interiors popping up everywhere. Cloud Dancer proves just how striking neutrals can be when they take center stage. For quilters, the easiest way to play with this trend is to flip the script: swap your background fabric for a color and let your main fabrics become the neutrals. It's a simple shift that changes the entire mood of a quilt. ### Why Background Bundles Deserve a Second Look Usually, backgrounds and blenders play the supporting role to the eye-catching prints in our favorite collections. Precuts like Layer Cakes and Jelly Rolls tend to showcase colorful fabrics, but Fat Quarter Bundles often include Background Bundles as a shopping option too. Yet without a scrappy project planned or a stash re-stock in mind, these bundles of cozy cuteness frequently get overlooked. That's a shame because they're versatile, budget-friendly, and perfect for this very trend. ### The Rows of Bows Quilt by Kassidy Grace For our featured quilt, we're making the Rows of Bows pattern by Kassidy Grace using the Laundry Line Fat Quarter Bundle by Laundry Basket Quilts for Andover Fabrics. The subtle touches of color breathe life into the cream backgrounds, while the vintage prints add a timeless charm that fits this trending palette beautifully. It's a project that feels both nostalgic and fresh—exactly what calming neutrals do best. ### More Background Bundles We're Loving Right Now If you're ready to explore this trend further, here are some standout options that pair perfectly with neutral-focused quilts: - Snow Flurry Fat Quarter Bundle by Laundry Basket Quilts for Andover Fabrics - Backgrounds Baked with Love Fat Quarter Bundle by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Designs - Gentler Times Background Fat Quarter Bundle by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Designs - Backgrounds Farmer's Daughter Fat Quarter Bundle by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Designs - Backgrounds Home Town Holiday Fat Quarter Bundle by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Designs - Autumn Backgrounds Fat Quarter Bundle by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Designs - Quail Run Backgrounds Fat Quarter Bundle by Kansas Troubles Quilters for Moda Fabrics - Essentials White on White Stocking Stuffers 2 Fat Quarter Bundle by Wilmington Prints - Sparkle Elements Fat Quarter Bundle by Art Gallery Fabrics - Butter Churn Basics Vol. 2 Fat Quarter Bundle by Kim Diehl for Henry Glass Fabrics - Prairie Backgrounds II Fat Quarter Bundle by Pam Buda for Marcus Fabrics - Backgrounds Eyelet Fat Quarter Bundle Curated by Fat Quarter Shop ### Lori Holt's DIY Design Boards: A Scrap-Friendly Must-Have We love keeping a stack of Lori Holt's Design Boards ready in our sewing room. Whether you buy her pre-made versions or decide to craft your own, they're a must-have notion that's as cute as it is handy. For an in-depth video tutorial from the creator herself, check out Lori Holt's channel or the one she filmed with us. Then, keep reading for our quick and easy overview of this scrap-friendly DIY. ### Step 1: Gather Your Supplies The Rows of Bows pattern calls for 12 Fat Quarters, but the Laundry Line Fat Quarter Bundle includes 24! That means we have plenty of extras to play with once we've chosen which 12 go into the quilt. Here's the complete list of supplies you'll need for this quick project: - Leftover Fat Quarters - Foam Core Board (cut to your desired size, typically 18 inches by 24 inches) - Batting - Rotary Cutter - Scissors - Creative Grids Ruler - Hot glue gun (for attaching batting to the board) ### Why Design Boards Elevate Your Sewing Space Design boards aren't just pretty—they're practical. They let you arrange quilt blocks or fabric pieces without pinning or ironing, giving you a bird's-eye view of your layout before you commit to stitching. Plus, they're lightweight and easy to store, so you can keep several on hand for different projects. Once you try them, you'll wonder how you ever managed without them. ### What's Next in This Series? We're just getting started with Sewing the Trends. In upcoming posts, we'll explore more quilting trends while continuing to build our quilt together. Whether you're a seasoned quilter or just beginning, there's something here for everyone. So grab your fabrics, pick your favorite neutral bundle, and let's sew something beautiful. Stay tuned for the next installment, and don't forget to share your progress with us—we'd love to see how your calming neutrals come to life.