Suggestions for what to do with this square?
 

I read the book Simply Successful Appliqué, and made this great starter project. It's a 12" square. It scanned sideways, and looks like the flowers are of different sizes, but it's really all perfectly symmetrical.

I don't really want to make repeat squares or a pillow. I was thinking of using it as a center square of a three-piece table runner. And I was thinking of pieced squares or hearts... I don't know... the black is confusing to me. Ideas?

It is beautiful. Be sure to use it for something special.

I love that. Your choice of colors is wonderful. How about an Ipad cover, outside of a tote. Personally I would find some complimentary blocks and make the table runner you suggested. Stay with the applique, you did a great job.

Love the tote idea... would it stand up to wear? And...black shows everything! Hmmm.

Table runner: So, maybe find two other appliqué blocks and do them on black, or change the background and maybe border the whole thing with black?

Thanks... I love it, too, but it's a strong piece and I don't quite know where to go with it!

Also: how to quilt it? Just free-form outline the shapes, maybe? The book has no gu I dance for that step!

Do you have a pattern (or picture) for a French braid runner? Maybe like the blue one pictured here? http://thequiltinggallery.com/tablerunners.html

I love the table runner idea. Here is one. http://quiltbug.com/free/table-topper.htm

Your block is beautiful. either table runner mentioned above would look nice with it. Let it set awhile and you will come up with an answer.

It is a beautiful block.

I would finish it so I could use it as a wall hanging.

I was also thinking wall hanging. Use some of the bright colors to add a border.

I was thinking of a braid pattern as well. How about making the black braid a bit larger than usual and using the colored pieces for squares? You did a great job on this block. Love it!

Use it as a center for a "Round Robin" project.

As far as quilting it, I have a tendency to echo appliqued projects, but that's just my fear of messing it up. You could make it the focal point of a small wall hanging. I would LOVE to see you do a few more and make a lap quilt. I know repeating sometimes is not much fun, but you could look for other blocks and see what happens.

I like your idea of a table runner with the hearts. It will really go pretty with this square.

Applique is not my thing, but I absolutely love your block! I hope you share whatever you decide with us when you do finish it.

Tartan nailed it.

french Braid would be a perfect accent to this beauty with the black centers sounds delightful. Your first applique turned out awesome.
peace

That's a lovely square! I know what you mean about the black. I always trade navy blue for black, but you can still use other blocks with the lighter colors in that block that will set it off for your runner. Otherwise either make it a small wall hanging by itself, a cover for the back of a recliner to both show off your work and protect your chair, a book cover or the tote was a great suggestion. It's beautiful; show it off!!

I agree with zennia, it is one beautiful block & I think anything you come up with will be stunning. I also agree with letting it sit for a while until you feel the "inspiration".

I think I would make it into a Medallion style wallhanging. It's too pretty not to be displayed.

I love your block. This is quality work, I hope you make a nice table runner. I used that pattern on quilting bug and it turned out nice. Show us a picture when you are finished.

How about using it as the center of a quilt, and joining a 'round robin' here on the board. It would be wonderful to see what other members would add to it, and solves your what to do with it problem.

Love the colors of your panel. Can't help with your question, though.

Very pretty applique your idea to use it as a table runner is great, however I tend to like table toppers more the square shape lends itself to more table shapes and you can work out from your center square. Also using it in a group for a round robin, that being your beginning, or a center medallion for a lovely quilt, also a tote with that as the focus would be great. Have fun with it.

A table runner, a lap quilt, or wall hanging.

Tack it to the wall for a few days to think about it
While you are thinking - check the Eleanor Burns Quilt in a Day website - they usually have the best price on EQ7
(abt $145 vs list $190) - you will love playing with it for design ideas.
Pretty applique - love your fabric choices. How did you do the pretty delicate tendrils?
Lefty - in Philly

It's beautiful, I would make it the center of something, surrounded by the lovely colors you've chosen. It would be pretty set on point in a round table topper. Or with a couple of borders as a wall hanging.

no new suggestions... just want to say how pretty it is!!!

Beginning of a table topper, wall hanging, in a special frame, would work.

I think I would use this a a center block in a quilt. Your block is just beautiful, you did an outstanding job on this. A table runner would also be lovely, but definitely display this piece of art. I don't think I would want to use it on a tote bag, per se, because of the extreme wear and tear it might get. This is too pretty, and I'm sure too much work to want to lose it to wear and tear in a short while.
I think you could really use just about any color you wanted with this black background. If you went with a quilt, perhaps using some of the colors in the applique as background colors for other bocks. Be sure to show us what you end up doing with this beauty.

Wow. It's sooo pretty.... How about a wall hanging?

very beautiful. thanks for sharing. great job

Your block is beautiful. I would go thru a book of blocks and see what catches your eye. I was thinking that some sort of Jacob's ladder might work.