Yes to all of it.
For modern Broderie Perse you cut the motif out of fabric instead of creating it with multiple pieces.
The motifs are usually flowers or birds or animals, but could be anything.
Chintz-y fabrics are great for this.
It could be done with raw-edge or needleturn applique.
It's your quilt. Make it any way you want.
The origins are from Persian Embroidery. You can google those images as well for inspiration.
There's an exhibit that was making the rounds of quilt museums - it was in Paducah and Lowell last year - it's called "Contemporary Broderie Perse."
Here's a post from Barbara Brackman's blog, with some great pictures, about it:
http://barbarabrackman.blogspot.com/...rie-perse.html