When I went to make a "manly" quilt, I just made sure the fabrics had no floral design in them. Leafy was okay but no flowers even the two-tone versions. As to the pattern used, one was a disappearing 9-patch and the other was Bonnie Hunter's Bricks & stones. Its hard though to find a white/beige fabric without some sort of floral on it these days. When I do find one such as stripes or checks, plaids texture I grab it for future "manly" quilts.