Molly,
Twenty plus years ago, Lee Cleland wrote a book called Quilting Makes the Quilt with many examples of straight line quilting (and free motion quilting). There are wonderful photo closeups and all over photos of how a quilt would look with each individual pattern.
This book set me free from the 'necessity' of doing FMQ in patterns that make me crazy!
There are many used copies available on Amazon right now for less than $2!! Get one for some of the best straight line quilting ideas you will find.
Jan in VA
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...y++Lee+Cleland