Agree!

Wow I really like the turquoise it really makes the butterflies stand out.....

They sure are pretty butterflies.

Wonder if the fabrics were washed or not before she made them.

They look like they are on unbleached muslin. A coordinating floral print with some of the colors of the butterflies would look nice for sashing and a border then use a solid for the binding. It will be a pretty quilt. Echo quilt around the butterflies.

If you have access to a quilt shop with a large variety of fabrics I would go in there and pull a bunch of fabrics to audition.

I also agree about using black. It would really make the bodies and applique stitching stand out.

What about calico's with a light print to match the bottom of all the Butterflies?

Could you maybe ask her what her favorite color was and go that????

I like the mottled fabric idea what if you sashed with a variety of colors based on what is in each butterfly using black cornerstones and a black border and binding?

I think a lavender or turquoise would be charming! Black makes me shudder because it is so out-of-keeping with the period during which the butterflies were made.