I like the green one. :)

Before you decide on the background, you need to also decide on your sashing; it will affect the entire look of the block. You might want to consider putting a different color (solid?) in the center, perhaps a gold?

I like the dark blue, It makes your plates pop.

Stand back about 5 feet, close your eyes tightly for a minute, open and what color do you see first, thats the best choice. That will be the key color. Do one on each background and do the same thing. The most harmonious one will stand out.

Oooohhhhhhh, I seeeeee .... thank you so much for that! That was part of my shopping trip for background ... sashing :? But you've made that much easier for me. :D

Thank you! Okay, so I've decided on dark/navy blue for the background but not a solid so it will have a tone-on-tone touch to it, what would you suggest for a center and sashing and should I make the center match the background or sashing? Can't wait to get to the fabric shop and take a plate w/me to see what I find!

Oooh, thank you for that idea, WILL DO! *happy dancing*

p.s. Hubby is from DC and we're moving back there in 4 years, can't wait! LOVE IT!

Bridgette, I did the Eleanor Burns' dresden plate from one of her shows/books. A photo of mine is below; in it (which is only a top so far), I only had about 5 colors repeated in the plate, one of which I used for sashing. I was just playing around with some fabric I had given to me and wanted to try Eleanor's method. I would rather have had another row of blocks, but ran out of fabric. (The binding is the same as the sashing.)

There are so many ways to change the look ... you just have to audition and see what you like as far as the plate center circle, the sashing, corner blocks. If you can take a dk. blue background square and one of your plates to the fabric store, you could maybe see what's right for you there before you spend your money.

I love your navy background. And your plate colors are so happy. Your grandmother would be proud!