i think i have solved the center quilting issue. the front is the lava blocks . all reds and oranges. solid. i want free form quilting in warm colors. the reverse is the green velvet forest, already very embellished. i was worrying about how to quilt through. but the velvet is very forgiving when stitched with contrasting color. the small dots nestle deep in the pile. i will use warm colors and do free form outline quilting to basically connect the layers. then i will apply some sheer swirly lava shapes and only quilt through one side on the front. i will further embellish the forest later without going through to the front at all.