Hello Robin! I'm from N. Indiana, too. I joined here a year or two ago myself, but haven't posted. Well I think my reply to you is my 3rd post! The only advice that I can give on a military quilt is to have a look at Thyme to Sew on Lincolnway in South Bend. One of the girls in there made an embroidery quilt and it is GORGEOUS.
I'm a new quilter myself. I started with a simple quilt for my daughter when she went to college, and am now working on a quilt-as-you-go cover for my son. I have a Viking machine that I bought used, which I sew on, but I just bought a Kenmore @ Goodwill yesterday. I can't wait to get this one up & running! Am having trouble with the bobbin.
I am anxious to see how close we are to each other.