I love your story, and I also immediately thought of a grandmother teaching a granddaughter when you said the plates were made by two different people, one accomplished and one not.

I think a background in a pale color found in the plates would be great. Pale yellow or pale blue would work.

Great find/story........and I'm sure it will be even greater when you finish it......someone somewhere will smile and will give a nod of approval......

I love your story for the quilt and sounds totally feasible. I was thinking a beige fabric with a tiny red flower for the background but I like the blue idea too.

What a great find. I would do the traditional way with a soft white or white white for the background.

I agree. I would not introduce another patterned fabric. Wonderful story! Makes the quilt very precious, true or not!

Thanks Lynnie :-)

Thank you all I'm glad you can appreciate them s much as I do.

PenniF great idea to add my "history" to the label I will absolutely do that.

Momof6 I had that same thought when I first saw them and the pinks, yellows and golds could either be to keep it from being "too" bicentennial or added later for variety

Thank to all that are giving me more background idea's the only one I know I won't do is the white or cream I already auditioned several it's just to stark for the look I would like to get but all of the other idea's are a possible and I will be looking for those fabric colors too and any new print or pattern introduced will be very minimal.

I, too, vote for a blue chambray (or very light weight light blue denim) fabric for the background.

Love the blocks! I love to "rescue" orphan blocks from estate sales, antique shops and auctions. You never know what you will find.

Can't wait to see the finished quilt.

http://twiddletails.blogspot.com/201...ing-quilt.html

I know it's not 30's fabrics, but I like your idea of pale yellow. I vote for a soft, butter yellow solid.

I think it would make the blades all pop, without competing with another print.

I love your story. I bet that's exactly what it was. :)

Hmmm. I love the plates but agree with the patriotic feel to them. I was thinking a smallish flag print on a solid background. Or stars. Sorry, I'm addicted to star prints. I love the story and the rescue!

Applique each plate onto a square of unbleached muslin.

Sash with a light background with a teeny teeny red print

Cornerstone with navy blocks

I'd highlight the patriotic "vibe" in a homey way.

You're a good soul to have their story in your heart and I'm sure somewhere, someone has a story similar to this aching to be told.