Oh wow, I LOOOOOVE this one! That would be a great way to participate in the block-of-the-month challenges, and end up with something that's beautiful, cohesive, and fun to look at.

Thanks for all the great links everyone is posting... I'm enjoying all the ideas! I have some neutral star blocks from an abandoned wedding present I started making years ago, and they just bore me. No contrast. I have been trying to figure out what to do with them.

Pat Wys just published a book - Spotlight on Neutrals. There's more info on her blog - Silver Thimble Talk

I agree a neutrals quilt can be very elegant especially with Many pieces and shades. A pineapple pattern could add some pizzazz to the log cabin idea, but whatever you choose I think a multipiece pattern is the key to the timelessness and elegance that will make it heirloom quality.

How fun to get up this morning and see the beautiful things you ladies have found for me. I guess I am right on target, because the patterns I have considered so far are some type of log cabin, something with stars, drunkard's path arranged in a wedding ring-ish style, or a sampler!

Your messages have helped me to see that any of those would be beautiful!

Heck, if my niece decides she wants something else, I just may have to make a neutral quilt for myself someday when I have the time and money!

Thanks for all the ideas.

I love neutral quilts. It surprises me because I also love lots of color but the soothing nature of more neutral quilts appeals to me in a different way.

The beauty of a neutrals quilt is that it goes with everything... well duh, it is neutral! Now you've got me thinking about making my avatar quilt in neutrals. I've probably got enough in my stash...I think this could work!

This is something my DD would love, BUT it is not me. Don't get me wrong, I think they look beautiful, but :?: I have yet to make her a quilt :cry: (each of her three kids have at least 2 quilts from me).

I will keep a eye on this post to see if something will inspire me to make her a quilt.

You might check out Alex Anderson's book "Neutral Essentials", maybe see if your library has it. THAT should give you a lot of inspiration! One thing I definitely learned from that book - you HAVE to have white in a neutral quilt to make it sparkle. Alex shows an example of 2 neutral tops, one with white and one without. It does make a difference. Anyway, I highly recommend you look at her book.

http://www.amazon.com/Neutral-Essent...5149516&sr=8-6

You need to ask if she considers a darker tan or a light brown in her spectrum of neutrals. I would definitely not consider those colors with the information you gave. Light neutrals and darker neutrals are different animals. Both are attractive but are definitely different and you need to know what she is thinking. If she is ok with the contrast that darker neutrals present then that will make one kind of quilt. If she wants a neutral quilt that has very light color variations that are almost shadows of each other, almost like the nap differences in velvet then that is another type of quilt altogether. I think that you need to get more specific information from her. It would be a shame to make a quilt based on what you think she wants instead of what she actually has visualized receiving from you. The more specific information you receive the empowered you become.