What if patchwork could be done without seams? (Original Post) An appliqué approach to f traditional geometric patterning. Done in a non - traditional method. I thought I would start with a ragged edge appliqué approach. A nine patch is my usual strting layout for most things.
What if the ragged edges from #3, ragged 9 patch, were tacked at regular intervals. would it be more stable and perform better after washing? What effect would it yield?
Have scraps, will travel. I like the use of the dot fabric in the background of the patch to simulate snow fall. Fabrics were chosen carefully but from a scrap bag.
This "fussy patch" method has further possibilities. To create more pictorial patchwork.
I used graph paper to draw the pattern, freehand but with guides.
4x4" all cotton, extra border applied to top and bottom.
i was only wondering what if fabric could be used to frame fabric, one special treasure having all the focus in a piece... thinking about formats to display special or vintage scraps. 
an uneven ninepatch to emphasize the center.
all linen with cotton lawn triangles
8"x8"
center shibori patchwork block appliqued to double woven linen based, no batting.
center framed in 2 color double running stitch, DMC 3 strands
points of grid defined with tiny embroidered stars
quilted in blocks using varied color-DMC 2 strands
applique triangles pointing to center.
ragged torn strip linen edge
machine washed 2X.
i like the combination of controlled and free form elements.
this format can be a nice substitute for mat frames around special collectible fabrics.
glennis over at shibori girl sent these to me a while ago. (check to see how they were made!) i want to do a patchwork piece with them. but they are so sheer and fragile.
now i am looking at them and wondering what if i stabilze them first by sewing them to a lofty foundation. this may also give them a pillow effect for textured quilting as well.
some contrast to the other fabric they are pieced with... to enhance their lightness. let them float up off the surface.
i will mount them on some pale pink cotton velvet. i don't have any white anyway and the worst that could happen is that the white will warm up the white areas a bit.
update 1:
...i had a bit of a problem with the method i chose and instead i wnt to a paper piecing method, ironing the silk squares to freezer paper and leaving the paper in as i sewed the pieces together english paper piecing style. i will insert the loft behind the silk squares only, to prepare for some trapunto quilting.(continued ...)
sewing with silk is very different from sewing with cotton or linen or anything else for that matter. it's a bitch actually. i decided to place these little silk shibori squares in linen fabric frames, to stabilize them and create surface contrast... and i am padding them to see if i can make them seem light and float them above the surface. the surrounding areas are quilted heavily to enhance the effect and the trapunto style pillows are forming nicely.
i am wonderig if i can make the frames even flatter by quilting with a single thread in between the existing double thread sashiko style stitches. to tie the fabric down further and create a variation in the quilted surface.
the small white squares are a heavier silk, handwoven from thailand. a more irregular and unruly fabric. but shiny.
to be continued...
trying again to use slippery silk for tiny quilting. 2.5" x 2.5". basted the little quilt to gauze before backing to stabilze.
made into a gift tag. read more at spirit cloth.
finishing things sometimes invokes what-iffing, especially if time has passed and you find yourself thinking new thoughts. or even forgetting the original if.
just packing up a gift and i came across this old project, unfinished, and i thought why those look like wishing stars, and they should have faces.
and as a quick side trip i decided to make it into a little doll house size quilt. the train was too crowded for a big project today.
needs more work on the stippling and the story.
painted stars on patchwork. painted stars and embroidered embellishment on floral print. scanned, photo later.
since i hand piece most everything and use an overcast stitch, care must always be taken to keep the stitches from showing too much on the face. and i have come to be more relaxed about that because actually, i like the way stitches look. and so i was wondering what if i work with that idea and make the stitches really show, and using that as a design element. the concept has many possibilities. this is one in a series of nine. 
9 patch in white linen
3"x3"
center square sewn with double strand black floss to exaggerate stitch
modified english paper piecing
playing more with this technique. tried framing one patch, partial framing in one direction, multiple patches with variegated thread, and my favorite so far, the black triangles with planned discontinuous color on the seam.
this process interests me because it uses a focus on structure as a design element.
because of the contrast it also records a process, the tension, the stitch irregularity, the stretch in the fabric.
it is also a great way to create a design if you only have small scraps of fabric in one color.
i also like how it relates visually to mending.
linen patchwork, cotton floss,
3" x 3" blocks.