I'm starting my patriotic quilt and I am still not sure about the center block. I had a teddy bear there that I wasn't totally sold on and I've replaced it with a vase and flowers.

Does it look out of place with the other elements?

I've looked at it so long and tried so many things that I can't see it objectively. The fabric between the red and blue strips around the center has a vase that looks very like it.

Pam I like the way the flowers are a soft contrast to the sharp points and lines on the rest of the quilt. It makes it a good focal point and adds more texture to your quilt. I am glad you changed your mind on the bear, I think this is a much better choice.

I like this better too... but then I'm not really much of a teddy bear person.

Plus in keeping with the patriotic theme, the flowers are cascading down like fireworks!

I love it ! Looks GREAT
Sharon

I do "LOVE" the basket of flowers.
I am aure what ever you chose, that
it would look wonderful!!
:D :D :D :D

OK - you said honest so I will be! I love the vase and the rest of the quilt but not sure about the two together! So if I say NOT that, I have to come up with an alternative suggestion, right? Eagle? Or how about the Stars and Stripes in the middle too? Or is that too boring? (I do NOT mean that the Stars and Stripes is boring BTW!!!) I know I'm in the minority but I DID like the teddy bear! And I love that fabric in your second pic, what is it called?

I very much like the flowers, but if you're looking for symbolism, etc. You could put a tree, like a weeping willow in the center. Trees have always been a symbol of life. I also like the idea of an eagle. Oh...or perhaps a bell...like the liberty bell.

It looks amazing. Worry no more!

I really like how the vase looks; but I agree with Tippy, I think a weeping willow would be fantastic. Not sure if it is entirely and 'american symbol'; but all your quilts always turn out fabulous Pam.

Looks great!!!

Pam, I think it looks great and gives it the Baltimore Album effect. Many of the old Baltimore album quilts had a patriotic them. I love it.

whoops, I meant Theme.

It looks great. I'm thinking like shaverg---it does have that BA look. I'd leave it in.

ranger

Not a teddy bear person, either, like the flowers, first thought that popped into my head, was a farm pic or an old barn, don't know why.Maybe even an old church.

I like it with the flowers and vase -- adds a soft touch to the stars.

It is a BA block from EQ. I thought of it because of the fabric, which is from the Coverlet II collection. BA is a very American design.

I like it because of the contrast of the curves and everything else is angular BUT, that's why I'm wondering if it isn't too much of a jarring note with the rest of it.

I've looked at eagles but I didn't quite like that either.

A tree might be interesting though it's still the same element of the curves.

Thank you for all your opinions. I'll leave it as I work on it and see how it starts to look in person too.

It might make a difference with the actual fabrics. There are a lot of curved designs in it like this and several circular ones. I'm thinking of using the corner blocks of this but in blue for the flower vase.

I personally like the flowers. LOOKING GREAT!

I like the flowers idea,but not nuts about the vase...I think an Ohio Rose or a flower wreath would look pretty,but whatever you do will be great. You do beautiful work.

I like the flowers over the teddy, but if you are not sold yet why not try a flowery heart since it is in the heart of the quilt and your heart is obviously in this work.

The flowers are great in the quilt. I agree with Mamabird - does somewhat resemble fireworks!

i like the idea of the tree if the fabric you have works with that design - otherwise i like the vase with the flowers.

My exact first thought was a house, but then I saw the houses on the four sides ... then, I thought waving flag and noticed the flags in each of the corners.
Then, I thought: Eagle - - and kept reading and noted that you didn't like the eagles that were available to you.
And, I read the post about the flowers looking like fireworks, and that was a dandy interpretation, but .... hmmmm...
noted the posting about the liberty bell or the tree ... and thought: Tree of life! It is an old pattern, and usually seen on point, but you could set it straight up and down - - it is your quilt <g> you can do whatever you want to do!
The Baltimore album-type wreath is a viable competitor for the center of your quilt, but ...
Bottom line? If I were to see the quilt you put on the design board and told me that this is the way it was going to be, I would say: okay! Lots of work and a nice bunch of pieceing and applique.
You have good instincts ... and, what you have put there
HEY! How about SUn bonnet sue and overall bill or Sam/whichever he may be ...
I like all of the suggestions better than the bear, but I liked the bear because he was dressed up patriotically .... you could even have sue and/or Sam/Bill doing something like looking up at the fireworks or saluting the flag ... or ringing the liberty bell ....
I am done thinking now ... <g> I can hardly wait to see what you are going to do.

This thought is going to be way out there. But here goes....Put a version of the flag block from the corners in the center. You'll probably need to add more stars and stripes, due to the enlarged size. Then take a copy of the star block at the North, South, East and West positions and put that in the corners.

Wow Omak - some great ideas there! I'd go and have a lie down now if I were you! LOL Seriously, I like the wreath idea and the tree and could warm to the vase, like you say, if the curves are echoied elsewhere in the fabrics. It's so difficul to do this by pictures - hang on, I'll jump on the next plane - get the bath salts ready for my jet lag! The sunbonnets would be cute too but di you want cute? The bear was cute! (well someone has to stick up for poor Ted LOL!)

Leave it in, I think it is perfect!
It does have the feel of BA, too.

Wow, Omak. You're wide awake this morning! :D Thank you for the ideas. I am warming to the tree idea and I've looked at a few old patterns. The vase does add an "artificial" element, if you know what I mean. I really do like it though.

I have some time to decide as I ordered 6 yards of a different background fabric from the collection. I wasn't thrilled with the wavy beige when I saw it in person so I ordered the tan with tiny dots (not circles) like the blue and red fabric.

A flag in the center would be a pretty solid design and I think I want it more open.

As for the guest quarters it was funny when my DD and her husband were here. She told me he went into the upstairs bathroom and saw how I had fixed it up after they moved out and said, "Can we use this bathroom?"

okay, if you want to keep the vase and flowers, what would happen if you broadened it out and made it more, hmmm ... earthy.
I didn't mention the sunbonnet kids because of "cute" ... I was thinking "Americana" <g> ... cute is no problem for me! LOL
Anyway, I have a question about the "BA" thing ... bachelor of america? What does it mean??? I tried pretending I knew what it was, figuring someone would break down and be so proud of their typing that they would write the whole thing out ... but ... alas!
I am left to display my ignorance, all by myself (for the benefit of everyone else out there who doesn't know, either <g>) ...

And, America ... From sea to shining sea. From the Mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans, white with foam ...
A mountain with fireworks coming over the top with a wheat field in front of the whole thing is VERY America! <G>

LOL Omak - nothing wrong with cute! BA is Baltimore Album, BTW (by the way! LOL!!!)

Its really lovely the way it is. Its soft and looks great with the stars.

Elle

AHA! I get it! Makes perfect sense. Thank you very much BTW <g>

I totally agree with this. I love the two themes, but for a patriotic quilt, go with something other than the flowers in the center. I like the stars and stripes idea, and the eagle, too. Or how about fireworks? (Not sure how you'd make that though.) I didn't see the teddy bear, but I'm not sure a teddy bear would do it for me either.

Pam,
I sticking my 2 cents in again. Pam you do have great instincts and I still really like the look of BA and the pattern in the middle for me is perfect . When I think patriotic, I always thing BA, because of the time BA were designed. What ever you decide will be great.

The flowers are pretty - but my first thought was also an eagle - as long as you are doing the patriotic - how about a liberty bell? a copy of the constitution? books for education? - need an informed people to make intelligent decisions.

I do like the flowers better than the teddy bear. Teddy bear was cute, but I didn't think it fit.

How about a Betsy Ross flag in the center? Will give you a bit of a curve.

I love the center

I like the flowers a lot better than the bear. Makes it a much more "serious" quilt.

I don't want to get TOO serious. :P

Maybe a more primative looking BA, not so formal. Still looking (in between working).