"Low volume" refers to prints that read nearly as solids in a black and white photograph. Bundles of a variety of these types of fabric have recently been appearing for sale in shops. Being able to purchase a collection of these fabrics makes it easy for the quilter to have a variety of different backgrounds from different collections for use in their projects. "Low volume" fabrics don't have to be just grey-scale or beige either--soft colors combined with creams and white also work well as low volume fabrics. Light ginghams and polka dots on light backgrounds are also good choices when building a low volume fabric bundle.

The fabrics below are from Vintage Modern, Sew, Mama Sew, 2wenty Thr3e, Oink a Doodle Moo, and Sunwashed. Low volume fabrics appear in fabric groups that range from traditional to modern, and by combining these types of prints from a variety of collections a gorgeous arrangement of background fabrics can be collected.

Text prints aren't just in black and white these days, either. Aneela Hoey's new Posy collection has beautiful text prints in gorgeous spring shades. Her "chickens and flowers" print works as a wonderful "low volume" fabric, too.

And of course with Zen Chic's new Comma collection we find bold colors combined with low volume backgrounds and prints.

Summersville by Lucie Summers for Moda also contains a variety of text and low volume fabrics perfect for mixing in with any project. Summersville Spring, a recent release by the same designer, also contains some fabrics in this category.

Whether your quilt fabric choices are bold and bright or soft and subtle, using text prints and low volume fabrics can make quilts "sparkle." Text and low volume prints work especially well as scrappy backgrounds, applique' backgrounds, and borders. If you haven't already experimented with using these fabrics in your quilts, now just might be the time to have fun with text and low volume!