I like no. 2, personally I like the pinwheels more than zigzag (reminds me of the 70's). Love the pinwheels best.

I really like #2 best, although both are very nice.

I love both, but #1 makes it look longer, bigger. But both are great.

Thank you everyone for your input. Wish I had enough material to make both, but my Husband had the final say (it's a surprise for my FIL - he wore out my MILs quilt once she passed away 20+ years ago - so I couldn't really ask him)....anyways, DH chose #1. I picked up a maroon houndstooth pattern to do the borders with and a solid maroon for the backing and binding. It looks better in person then it does in the photo's - the pictures are a wee bit off with the colouring. I like the complexity of #2, but I didn't think my FIL would like that one (sigh)

I like both. You cannot go wrong in whichever way you go.

I like both but I'd choose Nol. 1. I don't think your fabric choices are bad at all, by the way. Subtle but nice.

I like #1 & would use a dark brown color from the print for part of the border which would really set it off

#1 is my choice. If you want the quilt to "pop," I would add a small dark boarder. It looks to me that brown would match.

Older eyes don't pick out patterns as easily as younger ones do. I am an NP, and I've worked a lot with the elderly. I would say either pattern would be fine, the second might stand out more -- or perhaps not depending how how good his eyesight is. The colors are very calming, and a lovely selection for an elderly man. You've done a great job! If he doesn't like it, I'll take the quilt! LOL!

Number 2. Your fabric is wonderful. I, too, made a quilt using muted colors and hated working on it. I took a picture of it as I do with all my quilts and then put it aside. A few months later I ran across the picture and said to myself "What a great quilt".