When I first started quilting I tended to go for country and folk art type of designs and fabric. Like my home was decorated. I like batiks but find them hard for hand quilting and the colors can run, even with good quality fabrics.
A friend of mine was given an antique quilt in pastels and it has really held up well. I like the colors used in this quilt and that the fabric with a white focal fabric.
I seem to be gravatating now toward using white focal fabric with bright bold colors mixed with pastels, for a more modern look. I love how the colors pop on the white backrounds.
Kel