The Calming Neutrals Quilt Trend You Can Start This Weekend

William Davis · 2026-08-01

Welcome to a brand new series here on the blog: Sewing the Trends! Throughout this series, we'll be making one quilt together while exploring a different quilting trend in each post. First up? Calming neutrals! With the Pantone Color of the Year being Cloud Dancer (an airy white), it's no surprise that soft, soothing neutrals are taking center stage, and it's the perfect excuse to let Background Bundles step into the spotlight for your next quilt. Plus, we're giving those leftover Fat Quarters a second, trendy life in your sewing space by revisiting our favorite sewing room DIY invented by the amazing Lori Holt: Design Boards! ### The Trend: Calming Neutrals The Pantone Color of the Year is always a good reference for the broader trends we see in fashion and decor. From the elevated basics of celebrity street style to the minimalist yet inviting interior designs that are rising in popularity, Cloud Dancer shows just how striking neutrals can be when they take center stage. As quilters, an easy way to play with this trend is to simply swap your background fabric for a color and make your main fabrics the neutrals! Think about it: cream, ivory, and soft beige aren't just fillers. They're the canvas that makes every other color pop. And when you flip the script, using a soft neutral as your featured fabric and a bolder hue as the background, you get a quilt that feels fresh, modern, and oh-so-chic. It's a subtle shift, but it changes the entire mood of your project. ### Why Background Bundles? Usually, backgrounds and blenders play the supporting role to the eye-catching prints of our favorite collections. Other precuts, such as Layer Cakes and Jelly Rolls, tend to feature the colorful fabrics, but with Fat Quarter Bundles, Background Bundles are often available to shop as well! However, without a scrappy project planned or a stash re-stock in mind, these bundles of cozy cuteness can often be overlooked. That's a shame, because these bundles are pure gold for quilters. They give you a curated collection of textures and tones that all work together seamlessly. You don't have to hunt through your stash hoping you have enough coordinating fabric. You just grab a bundle and go. And with the trend shifting toward neutrals, there's never been a better time to give them the attention they deserve. ### The Rows of Bows Quilt by Kassidy Grace For the featured quilt in this series, we're making the Rows of Bows Quilt by Kassidy Grace using the Laundry Line Fat Quarter Bundle by Laundry Basket Quilts for Andover Fabrics. The subtle touches of color bring life to the cream backgrounds, and the vintage prints add a timeless charm to this trending color palette. This pattern is a joy to sew. It's forgiving for beginners but interesting enough for seasoned quilters. The bows add a playful touch, while the neutral palette keeps it sophisticated. You'll find yourself reaching for this quilt every chilly evening, and it makes a wonderful gift for a new baby or a housewarming. ### Other Background Bundles We're Loving If you're ready to stock up, here are some of our current favorites that embrace the calming neutral vibe: - 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 Each of these bundles brings its own unique flavor to the neutral trend. Some lean more white, others more beige, and a few have just a whisper of color. Pick the one that speaks to your personal style, and you'll have a solid foundation for your next several projects. ### Lori Holt's DIY Design Boards We love having a stack of Lori Holt's Design Boards at the ready in our sewing room, and whether you shop her pre-made Design Boards or decide to make your own, they are a must-have notion that's as cute as it is handy! For an in-depth video tutorial from the creator herself, watch the tutorial on Lori Holt's channel, or the one she filmed with us. Then, keep reading to see our quick and easy overview of this scrap-friendly DIY. These boards are perfect for pressing your blocks, laying out your quilt top, or just keeping your pieces organized. And the best part? You can make them in any size you want, using materials you probably already have on hand. #### Step 1: Gather Your Supplies The Rows of Bows pattern calls for 12 Fat Quarters, and the Laundry Line Fat Quarter Bundle has 24! That means we have plenty of extra Fat Quarters to play with once we've picked which 12 go in the quilt. Here is the complete list of supplies you need for this quick DIY: - Leftover Fat Quarters - Foam Core Board (cut to your desired size) - Batting - Rotary Cutter - Scissors - Creative Grids Ruler - Hot glue gun and glue sticks That's it. Nothing fancy, nothing expensive. You probably have most of these supplies sitting in your sewing room right now. #### Step 2: Cut and Cover Start by cutting your batting to match the size of your foam core board. Then, lay your fat quarter right side down, place the foam core on top, and wrap the fabric around the edges like you're wrapping a gift. Use the hot glue gun to secure the fabric to the back of the board. Trim any excess fabric for a clean finish. #### Step 3: Press and Enjoy Once your boards are covered, they're ready to use. Place them on your ironing surface, and you'll have a portable pressing station that's perfect for any corner of your home. Plus, they stack neatly for easy storage. So, are you ready to join us on this quilting journey? Grab your favorite Background Bundle, pick up a few extra Fat Quarters, and let's sew something beautiful together. We can't wait to see what you create!