The Ultimate Fabric Source for Softball Quilts

The game of softball has been around for over a hundred years but did you know that the signature neon yellow color of the ball has only been around for about 30 years? 

As a 90’s kid, I remember playing with white softballs in my childhood but in 1993, the

modern yellow color was introduced in college softball continuing on to become the standard color seen today at all levels of play.

The color change was contributed to improving visibility for players, especially hitters, since the pitching mound in softball is much closer to home plate than in baseball.

It’s a distinct color combination, fluorescent “optic” yellow with red seams, but it has become synonymous with the sport of softball and as such, is often a color combination sought out for making a quilt for the softball player or enthusiast.

Fluorescent yellow is not a super common color found in quilting cotton but there are some great choices if you’re looking to replicate this look.

I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite combinations from the following list of manufacturers and designers if you're on the hunt!

• Tula Pink (FreeSpirit)

• Kona Cotton - Robert Kaufman

• Moda Bella Solids

• Libs Elliott (Andover)

• Ruby & Bee Solids -Windham Fabrics

• Starry - Ruby Star Society

  
  

As more collections continue to be released, I plan to edit this list but I hope this provides some inspiration to get started.

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Fastball 2.0

If you’re looking for a softball quilt pattern, the Fastball 2.0 quilt pattern has three choices for how you can design your softball quilt:

• Solid background with one color "seams"

• Solid background with six color "seams"

• 6 Color Background with 6 Color Seams

  
  

  While the solid color background options in the pattern are labeled as “Baseball”, they can certainly be used for a softball version as well.

When I created the first softball version based off of the original Fastball pattern, I felt the need to breakup the neon color to give the quilt a little more dimension.

By giving the background an ombré effect, it also gives the illusion (somewhat) of a three dimensional ball.  

I'll start by sharing my favorite fabric combinations for the Softball version of the pattern (with the 6 color background) but I'll also include some mockups of fabric options with a solid color background.

Download the Fastball 2.0 Quilt Pattern

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Softball Fabric Ideas and Mockups for an Ombré Background 

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Tula Pink "Original"

The original softball version I made from the Fastball pattern used my favorite combination of Tula Pink prints and solids. Some of these prints however, were in collections that had limited replenishments so they may no longer be available for purchase (at the time of this writing in May 2025).

I'd be remiss if I didn't share them as they really are the perfect combination (IMHO).

Below are the fabrics used in the original Tula Pink softball version:

Tula Pink Original Softball Version

Seams (Reds as shown from Top Left to Bottom Right)

• Moon Garden - Baby Geo - Moonlight

• Daydreamer - Butterfly Kisses - Papaya

• Designer Essentials Solids - Cajun

• True Colors - Mineral - Agate

• Designer Essentials Solids - Hibiscus

• Daydreamer - Dragonfruit - Lucy

  
  

Background (Yellows/Greens from Center to Corners)

• True Colors - Mineral in Citrine

• Designer Essentials Solids - Mojito

• Designer Essentials Solids - Limeade

• True Colors - Hexy - Chameleon

• True Colors - Tiny Dots - Meadow

• Daydreamer - Lil Jaguars - Kiwi

Tula Pink Replenishable

For the updated Fastball pattern, Fastball 2.0, I made a softball version with Tula Pink fabrics that are all listed in the replenishable True Colors collection. The hope in using these fabrics is that these prints will be more readily available to purchase for a longer period of time. Many of these prints are also used in the original lineup.

Tula Pink Replenishable Version

Seams (Reds as shown from Top Left to Bottom Right)

• True Colors - Tent Stripe - Peony

• Designer Essential Solids - Cajun

• True Colors - Mineral - Agate

• True Colors - Tiny Stripes - Wildfire

• Designer Essential Solids - Hibiscus

• Designer Essential Solids - Persimmon

  
  

  Background (Yellows/Greens from Center to Corners)

• True Colors - Mineral - Citrine

• Designer Essentials Solids - Mojito

• True Colors - Tiny Stripes - Moonglow

• Designer Essentials Solids - Limeade

• True Colors - Hexy - Chameleon

• True Colors - Tiny Dots - Meadow

Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Solids

The one thing about solids collections is that they are most likely to stand the test of time.

The Kona Cotton solids collection by Robert Kaufman has a wide selection of colors with enough bright yellow/lime colors to satisfy the ombré effect of the softball version.

Kona Cotton Fabric Swatches for Colors Listed Below

Mockup of Kona Cotton in the colors listed on the left

Seams (Reds as shown from Top Left to Bottom Right)

• Wine

• Sangria

• Poppy

• Watermelon

• Punch

• Peony

  
  

  Background (Yellows/Greens from Center to Corners)

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• Acid Lime

• Cactus

• Key Lime

• Sprout

• Limelight

• Chartreuse

Moda Bella Solids

Moda's Bella Solids collection also has a wide array of solids that work well for this option. The background colors offer a little more of a softer neon look starting with a lighter color in the center.

Bella Solids Fabric Swatches for Colors Listed Below

Mockup of Bella Solids in the colors listed on the left

Seams (Reds as shown from Top Left to Bottom Right)

• Kansas Red

• Country Red

• Christmas Red

• Ruby

• Raspberry

• Tea Rose

  
  

  Background (Yellows/Greens from Center to Corners)

• Light Lime

• Chartreuse

• Pistachio

• Mojito

• Acid Green

• Summer House Lime

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Softball Fabric Ideas and Mockups for a Solid Color Background

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If you’re not into the look of the ombré background, you can certainly use the Baseball version of the pattern which uses a solid color background.

Here are a few of my favorite fabric combinations with a solid background:

Tula Pink - FreeSpirit Fabrics

To get that fluorescent “optic” look you can never go wrong with Tula Pink’s collections.  Of course, I love using a mix of her bright neon colors for the softball version but many of her fabrics can be used individually for a solid background.

One of my favorite options for a solid color background is the Mineral print in Citron. It not only is very close to the actual color of a softball but the subtle blender print gives the solid background a little more dimension than just a solid color.

Tula Pink's Mineral in the color Citron as compared to a softball

Some favorite Tula Pink combinations for a solid background include:

Tula Pink Mineral in Citron + Tula Pink Essential Solids in Cajun

Tula Pink Mineral - Citron and Tula Pink Essential Solids - Cajun

Mockup of Tula Pink Mineral - Citron and Essential Solids - Cajun

Tula Pink Essential Solids in Mojito + Tula Pink Essential Solids in Cajun

Tula Pink Essential Solids - Mojito and Cajun

Mockup of Tula Pink Essential Solids - Mojito and Cajun

Tula Pink Mineral in Citron + 6 Color Seams

This option uses the Mineral print in Citron for a solid background but adds interest by using the 6 Color Seams option in the following fabrics:

• True Colors - Tent Stripe - Peony

• Designer Essential Solids - Cajun

• True Colors - Mineral - Agate

• True Colors - Tiny Stripes - Wildfire

• Designer Essential Solids - Hibiscus

• Designer Essential Solids - Persimmon

Mockup of Tula Pink Mineral - Citron + 6 Additional Tula Pink prints

Libs Elliott - Andover Fabrics

Libs Elliott is also well known for her electric fabric collections although the quantity of neons are more limited than Tula Pink. She does have a great neon yellow from her Phosphor collection (Dayglow) that pairs well with two of her other colors in the same Phosphor/Phosphor Electric collections. Safety is another good background choice from the Phosphor Electric collection.

This collection also has a subtle print to give it some dimension as well.

Phosphor Collection by Libs Elliott

Phosphor Dayglow + Phosphor Rocket

Mockup of Libs Elliott Phosphor - Dayglow and Rocket

Phosphor Dayglow + Phosphor Electric Candy

Mockup of Libs Elliott Phosphor - Dayglow and Phosphor Electric - Candy

Ruby & Bee Solids - Windham Fabrics

Ruby & Bee solids by Windham Fabrics is quickly becoming one of my favorite solids collections. I love the hand of the fabric and the vibrancy of the colors. The collection is not as robust as Kona Cotton or Bella Solids but there are a few options that can work for a solid background.

Ruby & Bee Limeade + Capsicum

Mockup of Ruby & Bee Solids in Limeade and Capsicum

Ruby & Bee Limeade + Hibiscus

Mockup of Ruby & Bee Solids in Limeade and Hibiscus

Ruby & Bee Limeade + (Claret, Rosehip, Capsicum, Hibiscus, Glow, Blush)

Mockup of Ruby & Bee Solids in Limeade, Claret, Rosehip, Capsicum, Hibiscus, Glow and Blush

Ruby Star Society

Perfect for your "All-Star" the Starry collection by Alexia Marcella Abegg for Ruby Star Society features a bright neon yellow perfect for a solid color background as the white stars add dimension and interest to the negative space of the pattern. Pair this print with a solid or your favorite red Ruby Star prints.

Some examples include:

Starry - Citron + Kona Cotton - Crush

Mockup of Ruby Star Society Starry - Citron and Kona Cotton - Crush

Starry Citron and Ladybug (New in July 2025)

Ladybug is a new color arriving in stores in July 2025 and is the perfect companion to Citron for a full-on starry softball quilt.

Mockup of Ruby Star Society Starry in Citron and Ladybug (New in July 2025)

Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Solids

Last but certainly not least are some options of solid color background using Kona Cotton. For a solid background, Acid Lime is the best bet to get a good match with the neon yellow of the softball.

Kona offers quite a few red options but here are a few of my favorite combos:

Acid Lime + Cardinal

Mockup of Kona Cotton in Acid Lime and Cardinal

Acid Lime + (Wine, Sangria, Poppy, Watermelon, Punch, Peony)

Mockup of Kona Cotton in Acid Lime, Wine, Sangria, Poppy, Watermelon, Punch & Peony

While this may not be an exhaustive list of options and as seasons change certain fabrics will ebb and flow in availability, I hope this gives you a start to finding the perfect softball fabric pairing for your Fastball quilt.

I'd love to hear your favorite combination or your favorite softball-inspired fabrics not included in this list!

Download the Fastball 2.0 Quilt Pattern