The Ohio Star or Irish Chain are good traditional patterns and keeping the fabrics toned down and softer than saturated color will keep the traditional look. The Irish Chain is great in just two colors, a light background and any other fabric that isn't saturated with color, even bright calico would be tradional.

One of my favorite combinations of "old" or traditional is cheddar yellow, turkey red and indigo w/ an antique white thrown in the mix.

Good luck with your project and please post your choice and progress.
peace

Log cabin or Irish Chain are my thoughts. Muted colors, calico or small blender prints.

I would add baskets, Dresden plate, or churn dash to the mix. There are many great basket patterns to choose from

I also like Boston Commons and Trip Around The World, the choices of colors are endless. The patterns are traditional but the colors can be Civil War era, 30's, floral or batik.
Does you quilt need to tradition in pattern and color??

For me when I think traditional quilt Double Wedding Ring is the very first in line. Then Crazy Quilt.

You can't beat log cabin for traditional. froggyintexasnowfroggyinThe Land of Enchantment, New Mexico USA

What about a sampler quilt....lots of different traditional blocks - many if not all of which can be done by paper piecing if you happen to really like that method.

A traditional quilt isn't bright or modern. I think of the old patterns like Irish Chain, GFG, DWR.

I was just thinking about this too, and I cast my vote with the others who suggest Irish Chain. I'd go for single; it's simple, beautiful, traditional and fast.
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Quiet Earth tones, and blocks that have been around since before I was born. Log Cabin, Drunkards Path, that sort of thing.