I would probably quilt:
(1) right under their bottoms
(2) under the bottom of the blankets and towels
(3) quilt vertical lines on the blankets/towels
(4) then do some swirlies in the sky in blue.
And let the ladies be all in their glory!
(5) and then stipple in the top and bottom borders.....
If I were going to go loopy all over, I would try the clear thread....I've used it once and felt it was painful to use. Haven't tried again.