Good for you at making things for boys/young men. There are more boys in foster care and NICUs than girls, but too few quilters think of them. I concentrate on male quilts too (something about having three sons …). I use batiks in browns, greens, golds, blues, grays, etc, just not pink or flowers. I use a lot of “read as solid” prints - grunge is a particular favorite. Paired with a novelty print of some type it works well. Any any pattern other than things like Sunbonnet Sue or Flower Basket will work in the right colors.