I think you'll have to be very picky about your background choice for the plates, due to their wide variety of fabrics, both value and color, so that none of the plate sections blend into the background. With the right choice of background and sashing fabrics, you will end up with a gorgeous quilt

Good luck. It is not an area of expertise for me so I am soaking up the knowledge with you. Your aunt's aunt. So these are an heirloom. I think it is sweet your husband dreamed about it. There is another post today that ask if you dream of quilting. Your husband does. Too cool.