How Calming Neutrals Can Transform Your Next Quilt Project

William Brown · 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: when you flip the script, your quilt instantly feels fresh and modern. The eye rests on those creamy whites, warm taupes, and soft grays, while the pops of color become the accents that draw you in. It's a subtle shift that makes a huge impact, and it's perfect for anyone who loves a calm, collected aesthetic in their home. ### 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 they're honestly some of the most versatile fabrics you can own. A good background bundle gives you a cohesive set of neutrals that work together seamlessly, whether you're using them as the base for a scrappy quilt or just want to have a solid stash on hand for future projects. Plus, they're perfect for mixing and matching with prints you already have in your collection. ### 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 great showcase for neutrals because the bows themselves can be cut from the more colorful fabrics, while the background lets those prints shine. And since the pattern calls for 12 Fat Quarters, you'll have plenty left over from a 24-piece bundle to play with for the DIY project below. ### Other Background Bundles We're Loving If you're ready to jump on the neutral bandwagon, here are some fantastic options to consider: - 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 offers a unique take on neutrals, from warm and cozy to crisp and cool. You really can't go wrong with any of them. ### 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. #### 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 (or spray adhesive) #### Step 2: Cut and Assemble Start by cutting your batting to match the size of your foam core board. Then, lay your Fat Quarter on top, making sure it covers the entire surface with a little extra on each side. Wrap the edges over and secure them with your adhesive. It's really that simple! #### Step 3: Enjoy Your New Design Board Once you've covered your board, you can use it to arrange quilt blocks, audition fabrics, or just keep your workspace organized. The fluffy batting makes it easy to stick pins in, so you can lay out your pieces and step back to see the big picture before you start sewing. ### Final Thoughts Whether you're drawn to the calming trend of neutrals or just love a good scrap-busting DIY, this series has something for you. Grab your favorite Background Bundle, pick out your 12 Fat Quarters, and get ready to sew along with us. We can't wait to see what you create!