Learner747

Nearly every one of Jenny Bier's patterns are challenging. My grandson chose one of hers on line. I was new at piecing tops and dulled my seam ripper before I was done. But now we are all pleased with the results.

applique

How about a pieced background with an applique?

feline fanatic

All great suggestions so far. I recommend going onto Google images, Pinterest or Flicker and view images of quilts that interest you. Throw out any notion that it may be too hard or beyond your skill set go only by if you love the quilt or not. Then set about learning how to draft it up. Or find a pattern for the block but set it in a pattern yourself. You will love the results because it was your own original design from the start. I knew I loved Mariners Compass quilts so that is how I did the below pictured quilt. I bought a book on how to draft Mariner's compass blocks. I already knew how to do flying geese and most importantly I kept the quilting that I wanted to do on it when done as part of the whole design process:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]522611[/ATTACH]

Here are closeups of the quilting
[ATTACH=CONFIG]522612[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]522613[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]522614[/ATTACH]

Notwendy

Does Modern appeal to you? This one looks fun and she does videos, templates, etc.
http://pileofabric.com/products/skill-builder-bom-2015

Notwendy

Feline Fanatic - That is stunning work. I love the piecing, but the quilting is a showstopper!

luvspaper

My first thought too was Judy Niemeyer...second was Norah McMeeking, but both are paper-pieced type patterns. Those have been the hardest, most challenging ones that I have done. Both had curved seams, and the Norah McMeeking one (venice rose in Bella Bella Quilts) also had applique.