Calming Neutrals Are the Quilting Trend You Need to Try

Jessica Taylor · 2026-08-01

Welcome to a brand new series here on the blog: Sewing the Trends! Throughout this series, we'll make 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. This is 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. This flips the traditional script and gives your quilt an unexpected, modern feel that still feels timeless. ### 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 often the most versatile fabrics you can own. They work as backgrounds, sure, but they also shine as blenders, sashing, and borders. Think of them as the quiet workhorses of your fabric stash. ### 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 provide just enough visual interest without overwhelming the eye. ### Some Other Background Bundles We Are Loving If you're ready to jump on this trend, here are a few bundles that caught our eye: - 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 personality to the table, so you can pick the one that best matches your project's vibe. ### Lori Holt's DIY Design Boards We love having a stack of Lori Holt's Design Boards at the ready in our sewing room. 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 ### Step 2: Cut and Assemble Start by cutting your batting to match the size of your foam core board. Then, lay the batting over the board and wrap your fabric around it, pulling it tight. Use the hot glue gun to secure the fabric to the back of the board. It's that simple. You'll have a beautiful, functional design board in minutes. ### Why You'll Love These Boards Design boards are perfect for laying out quilt blocks before you sew them together. They let you step back and see the big picture without committing to anything. Plus, they're lightweight and easy to store. You can lean them against a wall or stack them on a shelf. And because you're using leftover Fat Quarters, each board is a mini work of art in its own right. ### Final Thoughts Calming neutrals are more than just a passing trend. They're a timeless choice that brings peace and elegance to any quilt. Whether you're making the Rows of Bows quilt or just want to refresh your sewing space, this series has something for you. So grab your favorite Background Bundle, dig out those leftover Fat Quarters, and let's sew together. We can't wait to see what you create!