SandyinZ4

What about red, white and blue...patriotic isn't so bad and should photograph well???

Silver Needle

Go for clearer color choices, whichever you choose. I have a hard time distinguishing the pattern on packages with examples for civil war type quilts. Love the fabric and the quilts but pattern details are hard to see. Make sure all the notions needed are clearly listed on the outside of the packaging. Hate having to drive 45 min back to town because something I needed wasn't clearly listed. Good Luck with your venture.

QM

what I see around here is Autumn colors: maybe red, gold and brown or deep green.

DOTTYMO

Navy and white or black and cream.

Jan in VA

If your local shop will be the first and only sales venue for a while, ask them what's the most popular in their store or what they have ordered for quick upcoming delivery.

If you are going national and do not yet have a middle man to merchandise for you, check out the well-known fabric manufacturers for their most recent or upcoming collections. You'll learn the "new" colors and designs that are coming out. And because it will be a while before your pattern gets into shops, you'll be most au courant that way.

Jan in VA

BellaBoo

The bold modern fabric designs are a big right now. Check out Nancy's Notions Blog. She had about a dozen quilt designers make a her jumbo tote bag. The fabrics used were fantastic.

About half way on the page there is list of the designers and links to their version of the tote.
http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/blog-tour/hobo-tote/