It's hard to recommend a block for hand piecing. I choose blocks that I know I will totally screw up if I do it by machine - how's that for an answer?? I wouldn't hand piece something like a log cabin or nine patch because I know I would be bored.
Like the others, I leave lots of open space for hand quilting, but if you've never hand quilted before, you might enjoy quilting 1/4 inch away from each seam.
Janet