Suggestions needed. My son is getting married and his bride wants me to make them a quilt. She wants it to be "White".
I've never made one without any colors! I'm stumped as to what pattern would show-up well. She's says she's not into contemporary. Yikes!

just do a whole cloth one

My first thought was to make a log cabin using light (white/light cream) neutrals. Another option is a whole cloth type quilt pattern. Check out using old bridal qowns making crazy quilt blocks then adding on lace and other embellishments.

Why don't you spend a day with the bride taking her to quilt shops reviewing patterns and material and get some input from her. The final quilt can still be a surprise but she would have had a part of process in getting the quilt started. This would allow for memory making and give greater meaning to her when having the guilt.

Have a Great Quilty Day!
Pam M

Thanks for great suggestion; however, we live on opposite ends of the earth.

I agree with milp04, neutrals would make an awesome bridal quilt. Use the lightest creams (tone on tone) and white tone on tone. You would be surprised how much a pattern will show up.

I saw a neat "shabby chic" type quilt that was all white but in different textures: chenille, eyelet, and others. It was not handmade but I thought the idea was great.

That's sounds wonderful, alas, she wants white/white. Not my choice, but I'm the Mother-in-Law to be so I must not say what "I" prefer.

Look these over! You can also do whole cloth by the block, using the quilt as you go.

http://www.google.com/images?q=whole...ls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&sa=X&ei=U25kTePaGcT58AbBzeXpBg&ved=0 CCMQsAQ&biw=899&bih=326

ditto

You could do white blocks and then embroider them in white, maybe varying the design or doing monogrammes etc. Still white on white but without the difficulty of wholecloth. It would also add a bit of dimension and stop you from going crazy making it.

I think a whole cloth would be perfect. That's what brides from long ago made :)

I love the idea of a whole cloth if that is an option.
If not, here are a couple you could show her:

Here is a white DWR quilt....click through all 7 pics...pretty :D
http://www.amishcountrylanes.com/Pages/hs5002.shtml
Here is one that is white with a goldish accent you could show her just to see the depth with an extra color
http://www.amishcountrylanes.com/Pag...html?Patchwork
Goodluck! :D

How about many shades of off-white to taupe? I love these pics...:

A whole cloth quilt.

I also like the idea of tone on tone white and then do a pieced quilt in a design (of which I'm drawing a blank on an idea for).

Since she wants it all white/white you then may want to ask what quilted design she may want on it. If you put a rose pattern on it, or hearts, or something she doesn't really like....

I would also think about putting their names and wedding date on it either on the top as a design element or at least on the back in the label for it.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Ummmmm, everyone has their own defination of what white is...you should discuss it with her first...is it stark white, ivory, white with a bit of creamy color??? Rarely is stark white used unless as a blender. I would start there and then ask her preference of design as she obviously has her likes and dislikes and you are trying your best to please her. The ideas above are all wonderful but the best bet is talk with her. This would be a wonderful opportunity to learn about each other and have a nice experience together.

Maybe for starters you could make one beautiful all white pillow, with lots of lace and white embroidery or some such thing(perhaps a ring-bearer's pillow and keepsake for the bride) and check to see if she gets excited about that. I see too many posts on here from people who have knocked themselves out to make a special quilt for someone only to feel let down by the person's response. If they have no personal experience making something by hand, some people just don't get it. Maybe the bride is telling you that a quilt, as many non-quilters imagine them, is not something she hopes to own. Unless you had evidence that this soon-to-be DIL might really hope to have an all white handmade quilt, I think I'd check her gift registry for ideas and focus my quilting efforts on someone who will definitely appreciate them. It's much better than putting in a lot of effort only to receive a lukewarm response.

Thanks to all of you for the good suggestions. I really appreciate it! I'll let you know what I end up choosing.

Make her a solid white rag quilt I am thinking about makeing me one too. I think it will be georgous

A crazy quilt show casing your stitches with various white on white fabrics is beautiful. Good luck, I know they will love it.

If someone said that to me...I would pass out! It seems so daunting to do this...unless you have a long arm! For me...no can do.

I have NO suggestions but I don't think she knows HOW much it's going to show dirt, oil from your skin, etc. I would make you a bet that she changes her mind real quick when she finds out. My congratulations to your son and your family and you have my sympathy on making a white quilt.

Hmm, since she's familiar enough with quilting to have an opinion on contemporary...does she have an idea in her mind of what she wants? Maybe she could send you a picture of something similar or in the ballpark of what she has in mind?

That Amish Double Wedding ring is beautiful! I had not thought to do one in a single color. I suppose you could do almost any pattern in all white. I'm thinking Dresnan Plate would be nice.

My friend made an all white ten minute block quilt. When she showed her married 30 something son, he said it was the best quilt she had ever made. Normally a man who says little. She used as many white fabrics as she could find and added as well white cotton lace. It did look stunning and with a white backing and white batting it became see through almost when put to a window. I have a picture at the beginning can't find the finished quilt.

best suggestion is to first know what she means by "white"
Back in the late 70's a quiltr made all her projects and designs in patchwork with unbleached muslin. So you can do traditional patchwork and just use one color. Quilting then adds other design and texture. So don't discount patchwork all in white. or perhaps tone on tone white.
Then there are preprinted wholecloth in white and just slightly off white available. These are printed in a washout ink. So best to find our exactly what she means before even considering any further.

I'm going to be the unpopular one on this one....I would not make it. If quilting versus piecing is your specialty I would say whole cloth but really why invest the time in something that isn't fun for you! Just my opinion...
If you do decide to do the quilt Moda brought out charm packs of moda muslin mates with wedding stuff on them. I own them and some are super white with bells and champagne glasses maybe sew them together in the middle and border with a solid white??
http://jellyrolls2go.com/fabric-and-...harm-pack.html

since my actual quilting is not that good i could never do an actual whole cloth. however, i like earthwalker's suggestion. there is also trapunto or candlewicking. both are easier, in my estimation, than wholecloth quilting.

Myson is 23. When he was3 he askedfor a white on white. About suix yrs ago, i made him a block one, it took me a whole month, practically no rest. I put a 20" scalloped border on it. Hell get it if and whenhegets married.

I would ask someone to send images of items similar to what she likes -

with an explanation of WHY - you want to please her - you don't know what she likes - there are so many possibilities - you don't want to waste your money and time making something that she won't cherish - - - -

along with a PS that you won't even start until you have a clearer idea of what she wants!

My LQS has a French Braid quilt in their window that is made of all white and cream fabrics. It is beautiful.
Sue