I'm so glad you are choosing black! That would have been my choice as well. Like others have said, that way the eye is drawn to the applique and not jumping all around the place! JMHO, of course )
I vote you send it my way! I love it. I think black would really frame it out and make it look like a picture in a frame. (just my opinion) You did a great job! beautifully done.
Ditto, black binding, I'll be watching the mail, LOL