well then, the black should be fine. great looking so far!!

I really love the look of the black, I don't feel it makes your gorgeous blocks look somber at all. I would choose to do the black all in one fabric though, maybe a batik? So many blacks have green tones or brown tones, isn't it great we all have our different reasons for our choices. Lovely project so far! I know alot of modern quilters are using the white these days, but with all those gorgeous bright colours you might have one errant one bleed, so would chose the black.

white background, will be crisp & clean.

I'm with the others, that I would be hesitant on the black. Yes, you are expecting a full recovery ... though that does not mean her emotions will always be there.

That being said ... I really like the punch that the black would give. How about using a bright navy? or a rich, royal purple? ... both dark enough to give a contrast yet bright enough to not look black. I think both of these could be very effective and give you a really classy rich look to the finished quilt.

Your design is really great ... quite clever!

I'm not sure of the definition of "modern quilt". What I've seen doesn't use black, I think. It's more clean, crisp. So my thinking is white or very pale grey with, the centers being the lighter colors in the heart.

I like what you've got and I think either black, as you've shown, or a white would contrast nicely. But then I'm just delving into the "modern" quilt type of thing and suppose I shouldn't give too many opinions.

Anyway, I love your quilt. I guess I'm not traditional enough and just think of black as 'classy' and not necessarily as "somber".

No help from here on color decision, just think that will be a great quilt.

Love what you've got going here! I would think any subtle-ly patterned tonal for the background would be faboulous - you know black with the dark gray swirly, filigree type designs, blue, white, off white, any color - the background is you color palette - pick a color the recipient favors! Would LOVE to see this when you finish!

what a delightful heart! i like the black background

Isn't white the "preferred" color for modern quilts?
I agree that the black is not right. But yellow against the red?; not for me.