Your suggestions are just what I needed. As I was reading your reply, I was thinking that I may stabilize/secure the edge of the silhouette (with no stabilizer in the center), and cut away the background. I use spray adhesive to baste my quilts and will be using Shannon cuddle for a backing. Quilt the silhouette as a separate entity and then do a continuous FMQ for the rest of the quilt. I'm feeling less stressed and more confident with these suggestions and decisions! Can't wait to create it. BTW, the face on the silhouette is his 5-year old brother! I really want this quilt to hold up and be quite usable. Also, hope the design will grow with him. Thank you so much for your insight! Yolanda