So, you’re joining us for the Confetti quilt along? Great! The Confetti quilt pattern is available now.

I bet you’ve noticed that the background fabric is a big deal for this quilt. It makes a strong visual impact and you need a LOT of it for this scrappy adventure. Here is what to look for in a background fabric and some specific fabric suggestions.

Best Background Fabrics

for super scrappy quilts like Confetti

• Neutral. Your scraps are likely colorful and busy. A neutral background color like white, cream or gray will complement a diverse range of scraps. If you do use a background fabric with some color in it, keep the color simple and understated. Your scraps should be the star of the show.

• Non-directional. With Confetti quilt the background fabric will be pieced in different orientations alongside the scraps. To keep things looking tidy, the background should not have a directional print such as stripes. The good print will look correct when you turn the fabric 90° or 180°.

• Floaty. The best background fabric for Confetti quilt has a floaty, free-form personality to mimic the Confetti patchwork. In contrast a dotted grid is much more uniform. It won’t make the patchwork feel like confetti. Moreover a grid won’t line up when the background is pieced side-by-side. Something that feels tossed is preferable to a print with structure.

What about using a solid? Yes, that would definitely work. A neutral solid fabric is non-directional and not overly structured. It wouldn’t lend a floaty vibe to the patchwork, like these options above, but it would still do the job.

Background Fabric Suggestions

I used Firefly Whisper from Art Gallery Fabrics in my Confetti quilt. This fabric is selling out fast and can be hard to find in your area. Here are some more excellent choices, all currently in stock at Fenceline Fabrics!

• Menagerie Champagne from Rifle Paper Co. This fabric is linen-colored with floaty white champagne bubbles. If many of your scraps are white-background prints, you may prefer something like this with a gentle neutral color so that the white-background prints are well-defined.

• Spark in Neon Pink from Ruby Star Society. Looking for something with a bit more punch? This subtle scattering of pink sparks would lend personality to your quilt without overpowering the scraps.

• Speckled in Metallic White Gold from Ruby Star Society. This texture is a bit more urban than the others and very subtle. It’s also available in natural color in case you prefer more color in order to define white-background prints.

• Spark in Metallic Gold from Ruby Star Society. A charming, floaty print with metallic sparks. Fun and classic! With the metallic bling, this one will feel quite festive. Perfect for a Christmas, New Year’s or wedding gift Confetti quilt!

Good luck choosing your ideal background fabric. I can’t wait to see your Confetti blocks!