I like both the visual and textural addition of the rickrack -- and this is a Lady Sports themed quilt... Aunt Debbie may indeed Bleed Blue but enjoys girly too
The rickrack seals the round edge -- you buy 1/2" rickrack, sew down the middle (1/4" seam allowance) on the top, and then flip it over and use that to seal the rounded edge, and then basically you just applique to the base. It goes fast and the curves are smooth and it's just nifty. This is my second top using both the technique and the John Flynn Template kit I bought.
Here's Eleanor showing it, the part with the fans comes in around minute 18:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ktzb2wMMwzc