It seems I can only use tone-on-tone fabrics. The mere mention of a "feature fabric" freaks me out. I'm most comfortable with monotone or totally-mixed scrap quilts. I'm pretty good at matching colors and choosing from the color wheel, etc. so I don't think it's that. But I rarely use white or ANY really light color because I think it stand out too much. Is it a "rut" or a "style"? I love autumn colors (or brights, as you can see by my avatar), but always tone-on-tone; large prints make me nervous. HELP!

Nothing wrong with what you're doing. Do what you feel comfortable with. I get nervous when it comes to large prints and florals; afraid everything will look too busy. I have been an apparel sewer all my life so the quilting thing is very difficult for me. I was taught that everything had to "match". So making things that "coordinate" is tough in my mind.

Compulsive, you are fine! For a LONG time, I hated purple, (still do)and didnt even know why I even had it in my stash!Since I dont believe in fabric abuse(throwing it away), I started to use it in little doses here n there. Then I became a little more comfy using just a little bit more, I may not like it, but it works well with alot of other colors. So, just use it in little doses here n there, pretty soon you will feel more comfy using it, and maybe overcome your "rut".

I am the same way with white or creams. I love colors. BUT I have started using white and cream as a background and I am liking it more. I have purchased all the fabric for my BOM from my LQS that starts in Sept, I have it planned out and there will be lots of white used in the background.
So, I agree with start using it a little and see how you like it.

If you want to be pushed out of your comfort zone, give yourself a challenge project to work with a particular "focus" fabric in a small quilt.

There is not a thing wrong about working with what you are comfortable with. It takes some people years to figure out what they like! :-)

Adding white or very light into a block can make the other colors sparkle and help the eye move across the quilt top easier. I once saw a Basket pattern with HST border all done in muted red and brown (sashing, too) but each basket had white as the background color for that block. It added excitement to an otherwise dull quilt top. Just think of white or light colors as the mat in a picture frame, used to highlight the main object and not to BE the main focus.

When I want to push out of my comfort zone I take a class. I belong to a BOM that for $2 a month provides the fabric and pattern. They always use the dull, dark country colors which I don't like and would never on my own use.

Now THAT is a great idea! :-D

I find that anytime I make myself get out of a comfort zone it feels "freeing", like it's opening doors to a whole new world. Right now I'm working on two quilts, (same pattern, different colors), and they have something I've feared for years----Y seams! But I've found that if I use my wash away marker and place a tiny dot where I want to stop it's working wonderfully. So far I've only got two blocks out of 12 made but it's a WIP and I don't have to have them done before November. I'm also using a vintage machine that will stop on that dot exactly and I can take a reverse stitch without it going ahead one more stitch like newer machines do.
Push out, take a deep breath, grab your big-girl britches and take off for deeper waters. You'll be glad you did.

I am pushed out of my comfort zone quite often because I sew for other people, both clothing and home dec. Some of the fabric they bring I would never use. But I sew what they want and actually enjoy that temporary shift from what I like. It actually feels empowering sometimes to try something new.