I don't know the specific block you are asking about, but what you are describing is called a "crazy quilt"
block. Irregularly shaped scraps of fabric are sewn together, and decorative stitching and/or trim is sewn over the seams.
If you go to
http://www.youtube.com and do a search for crazy quilt, or crazy quilt block you should find lots of videos, and hopefully the one you remember.