Why Neutrals Are Taking Over Quilting (And How to Use Them)

Eleanor Vance · 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 honestly? 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. We're revisiting our favorite sewing room DIY invented by the amazing Lori Holt: Design Boards. Whether you're a seasoned quilter or just starting out, this post has something for you. ### 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. It's a small change that completely transforms the feel of your quilt. Think of it as flipping the script on traditional quilting. ### 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 incredibly versatile. Here's why you should grab one: - They give your quilts a cohesive, polished look - They're perfect for scrappy projects where you want variety - They help you build a stash of fabrics that work with everything - They often include textures and tones you wouldn't pick individually ### 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 starting point if you're new to working with neutrals. The bows are forgiving, and the design lets the fabric do the talking. You'll be amazed at how much depth you can get from a palette that's mostly white and cream. ### Other Background Bundles We're Loving If you're ready to jump on this trend, here are some 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 brings something a little different to the table, so you can pick the one that matches your style. ### 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. It's one of those projects that takes less than an hour and pays off every single time you sit down to sew. ### 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: Put It All Together Start by cutting your foam core board to the size you want. Then, lay your batting on top and trim it to match. Wrap the batting around the edges and secure it with your glue gun or spray adhesive. Finally, cover it with your favorite Fat Quarter fabric, pulling it taut as you go. The result? A lightweight, magnetic-friendly board that's perfect for pressing blocks, laying out designs, or just adding a pop of color to your sewing space. It's a simple project with a big payoff. So grab your favorite neutrals and give this trend a try. You might just find that less really is more when it comes to quilting.