Your suggestions are pretty consistent, so I see the way I think I should go. One more question: with the echo quilting around the appliques--should that echo the appliques themselves, or the exact shape of the peacock and flowers (my appliques are a bit bigger, and of course rounder, than the actual florals)? I'm thinking it should be the appliques, otherwise they might look odd with lines that do not parallel them--is what I'm saying clear?
Thanks so much to those who made suggestions. Also thanks to those who said they liked the quilt top--I really love it, too!