would this work?
 

I have alot of fabric and I am working on getting it used up. Our local fire department is having a fundraising ATV ride and silent auction for items donated. So I asked about donating a quilt to the silent auction. They are happy to get the quilt.. but they told me this

"Just keep in mind when you are looking for ideas, these folks are generally in the category of bikers. Middle class folks but like the outdoors. So, guessing a pink quilt wouldn't do very well just consider that as you work your design."

I thought it was funny.. I have plenty of fabric that would fit into that category. He liked the idea of fabric called "grunge" ha ha

Any way I am thinking about a delectable mountains pattern in these fabrics. Do you think it would too dark?

The fabric on the bottom will be the background.. a dark blue grunge. I just don't want the quilt to be too dark

any thoughts??

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I don't see a grunge blue myself. checks yes.
buy i agree, no pink probably. unless there are female firefighters. kidding. your fabrics should be fine.

Think 'cottage quilt', 'truck quilt', real 'guy' quilt. Simple design and 'manly' colours. Alternately (altho it might mean buying a little) flesh out an outdoorsy panel.

It sounds like a guy who is not familiar with the "world of quilting". Just speaking from experience with the guys I know, they may not care for pinks, but they do like brights. I don't want to seem rude, but I think the colors you show are too dull to catch someone's eye in an auction. The mountain peaks pattern is really great and I might try out some deep blues, greens, maybe some white for contrast. It is very generous of you to offer a quilt for the fundraiser!

thanks for your thoughts. I am feeling that something is missing as well, hence my question :) I do have have white and I can dig around more for something else to "pop"

you need some more color. something that pops. Green, alittle white maybe throw in a little red here and there Definitely need to brighten it up

I think the silvery grey would be a better background, you could still use the other fabrics with it. But you know... you might want to look for that ashes of roses grey-pink!

I was looking for a manly quilt for my husband's father and like you decided on a Delectable Mountains variation but I used homespuns.

Depending on the scale of the checks in your fabrics and the size of the blocks, they might be a bit big for the small triangles.

i really like the homespun in your quilt! I agree with you - I need to find some additional fabrics!

I think the guy giving the advice was off the mark. Many of the bidders will probably be women, or men buying for women. I wouldn't go with an extremely feminine quilt, but I agree with others that more color is needed to attract a bidding war.

My monitor is showing grays, tans, and browns.

Sorry - the combination that I am seeing on my monitor is unappealing.

To me, what looks like a blue gray with a tiny darker print does not seem to go with the other prints.

What would happen if you replaced that with a cream/ivory color?

I'm not a firefighter but I do ride a motorcycle & I would like purples, pinks, in fact-the more colorful the better! My Harleys have been red, purple, & now i ride a turquoise one. I'd bid on a bright cheerful quilt. If it's for a fundraiser, more than just 'guy bikers' will probably be bidding.

I would think a bright attractive quilt would auction better than a dull coloured one. Am trying to picture only a tribe/mob of bikers turning up for an auction, lol

You are on your way, however, the delectable mountain quilts usually have some green or teal, purple, ivory or white and even blue. Have you done a Google Images search for delectable mountain quilts. You'll see tons of ideas. Delectable mountain is my favorite pattern and on my bucket list.

Add some reds and teals to brighten it up some. Even some pretty purples, men as well as women like the pretty
bright colors.

thank you everyone for your thoughts! I am still sorting this out and I appreciate your thoughts

I agree with needing bright colors I just have to see what I can do (hopefully from my stash - fingers crossed)

rvsfan - I have made a few delectable mountain quilts myself and I do usually have white - - - so I am sure I will be adding that in

What if you made it an outdoor quilt, like a picnic quilt, and made sure the silent auction card included a note about it's washability and practical uses?

I sew for a boutique group for a charity. The things that sell best are those that are brighter and have picture panels. They seem to appeal to men and women as well. Therefore, I would suggest panels of flowers, trees, animals, cars, etc.

Here are some pallets to inspire you

https://www.google.com/search?q=masc...w=1366&bih=625

Bikers have wives, girl friends and children. Pink might be just what they are looking for.

Also, keep in mind, firefighters may have wives and wives may go for something lighter and brighter. Also, they may have children. I can see a big burly firefighter bidding on a pink quilt for his daughter. My uncle always bid on the quilts my aunt wanted LL!

Thanks for sharing this!

Okay even before I saw Kassaundra's link I was thinking using some orange (think Harley orange) or fire engine red to add to your colors. I fear the checks, although great, maybe a little too large for the pattern pieces.

I agree this choice of fabrics is dull and there is nothing to “catch someone’s eye”. There needs to be contrast in your fabrics. Perhaps some color? You could use some solids also for variety.

A friend of mine was just given a picnic quilt. Having not seen it, I will tell you how she described it. Bright, cheerful prints and solids, backed with a waterproof fabric and at the top a handle (fabric) with velcro. She can fold it up and attach a second strip of velcro to carry like a bag. Wish I had a picture.

thanks for all of your thoughts and suggestions. I am still going thru my fabric stash to find some things to mix in :)