Off-kilter does not define 'modern'. Your embroidered blocks do not carry enough visual weight to be set on a slant and remain effective, no matter what their color. They are much more effective straight up and down, though you could add interest by putting them in a less balanced (rigid?) arrangement than your 2-3-2-3-2 pattern. Also, odd numbers of things are more pleasing to the eye than even. If you go with colored blocks, consider using one or three, not two.