Lay those plates on black fabric and see how they pop. I found some at an auction and appliqued them to black fabric and I think it is one of my favorite quilts.

Boy, oh boy, did you find a FIND!!!!!!

Great suggestions and I have nothing to add. Anxious for the finished project.

What a neat find/story. Let us see what you finally settle on.

I would go with a neutral (off-white) for the block background and use blue for the sashing and red for the corner stones.

I second this suggestion -

Unfortunately I do not have any suggestions for you but can relate to

FYI have not found the fabric I am seeing in my head as the perfect base for them so I do welcome other suggestions

This seems to be the story of my life......even down to shopping for clothes and shoes. LOL

Please show us the end result.

Bless you for saving them! I love your story too. I would put them on a navy background.

Great story! I am teaching my DGD to quilt now. she is 10 and she has her own distinct style which is not mine at all. Both of us are having so much fun. Guess who is getting a little machine for Christmas??? She has her own little stash now and best of all, her mother says, "Who is this little girl? I don't know my own daughter!" She has cleaned and organized her room and closet which is a major change. She has honestly slept in her brother's room many nights because she couldn't find room in her full-sized bed. Now she says, "I make my bed every day because it makes my room look so pretty!". We are a family in SHOCK and it all began when she started hand quilting with me.