I'm going to call this Insanity or Extreme Lesson in Patience!
I don't cut straight. I don't sew straight. So what do I try? Right! 1/2" checkerboard to make some leftover cat fabric squares fit this new project! DUH!!!
Well, it was a good learning experience and did make me slow down from my usual full-speed, hair-on-fire kind of sewing! But I know I haven't done as much ripping since Home Ec in high school!
It is not an illusion - it is bigger at the bottom than the top so I will be going back for more ripping and adjusting. Looks like the flash kind of washed out the colors.
As far as the quilting goes: I don't FMQ (yet - still need more practice) but I do OK with the walking foot. All I can think of is to underline the words.