Thanks, I think it should be versatile (wall or table runner) and may as well applique the leaves. I can handle a wavy series of lines for the quilting, but thought some swirling as in the leaves swirling( while difficult) would be good too. Then I could use it either way. I should make a few practice leaves and a small quilt sandwich.. I like the idea of doing veins. I have a poly batt as suggested by the quilt store. I could try the sandwich to see how the applique looks through the layers. Thanks, jan

I do both at once so sewing down the appliqué after layering so it acts as quilting. then as you're just starting fmq, do wavy lines diagonally across the background to give the impression of light shinning across your quilt in a light thread

Is this going to be a wall hanging, or a table topper? It looks that size, but I could be way off!! If it's a wall hanging, you could tack them down just making sure that all of them have a tack in them. Or actually just let the fusing be enough and put a note with it that it is to not be laundered. If it's going to need to be laundered, as in a table topper, you could use a decorative stitch and contrasting or harmonizing thread and stitch down the centers like a vein, that would anchor everything down. If you haven't done free motion quilting before, you may want to stitch lines on this piece. Or at least make sure you practice on something similar in weight to it before putting it under the needle. A very modern approach would be to stitch randomly spaced lines across the open areas, and along the farthest out edge of the leaf mass. I hope this helps. I think it's so much easier to show someone than articulate what my mind has for thought.
Luann

I also don't know whether to quilt the background. I'm a newbie. I just bought a new foot to free motion though.

I have done two gingko's in buttonhole. Two red leaves with a brown modified zig zag. I'd like to do it fast for a Halloween trunk or treat at my church. All were securely fused. I could do a straight stitch, or use invisible thread. Or just leave as is and put the border on it. I thought rather than cutting the leaves flat at the bottom and seaming the border I'd overlap them by fusing that part of the border. Thanks for any advice.