I use mostly clear colors. I tend to use the cooler shades. I have made a ton of quilts with purples and greens in them. Also lots of blues too. I have not used orange very much, and when I have it has been a brighter almost "cooler" orange. I don't really like the 30's fabrics or real "antiqued" ones. I never use solids (unless in a Downy quilt kit) I have even replaced solids in several block of the month kits I have done. I don't use muslin either.