Thimblebug the small squares in the patch look like they have some sort of border but it is actually the sun shining and creating a shadow on the seams. Also I have machine quilted before, 3 other queen sized quilts, many baby quilts, plus lots of smaller pieces, it's just such a struggle to sew where you need to on my machine - possible but difficult. The batting I use is warn and natural - all cotton, it's pretty flat as well.
Sandra- I'd try to echo by extending the lines from the patches into the blue but I doubt they are truly that even!!! (Ha! and I've read the comment that someone posted ~ I meant for it to be like that!!!).
I'm excited to try a flower design and will have to find some interesting contrasting thread to use.