Make enough nine patches to cover the size of the quilt you want out of fall colors browns,tans,rusts..(dont be tempted to put green or blue in this one...) Or use a dozen shades of blues...Harmonious colors!
Take each 9 patch block, and cut it into fourths, Now sew them all togther turning them every which way - or you can alternate them with plain one piece blocks - to make the top. I think men don't care so much about the patterns,
but without being able to tell you why, react to the colors.