I am also doing the Civil War BOM and have kept up except haven't picked up July yet. Anyway, I can not decide on how to quilt something until it is complete and then it 'speaks' to me so to speak. I lay it out on a bed and then get ideas and also ask my family and sometimes friends. I somehow have an idea somewhere in my head and with all the suggestions the idea becomes stronger and stronger because of some of their not so good suggestions. LOL Really, suggestions help as I form ideas with each suggestion and sometimes it is a combination of several ideas and sometimes the long arm quilter has ideas and together we come up with a great idea. Too big for me to do with my sewing machine. I say wait until the top is complete and maybe go to library and look at Civil War era quilts for ideas. Have great day sewing. Sue