Oh my, the white background has been used throughout history, some to save expences, others to show off the wonderful quilting. So please do use a white backgroung if you wish. I have used lots of prints, as I wish, some to hide my new quilting skills, some for a different look on the back of the quilt. I just was given a hand stitched star quilt with white background made with brighter 50's prints from a friends mom's stash and I plan to use white to add to the quilt. So go for it, remember it's yours and have fun.