I'm going with the applique idea. Scatter a few on the quilt to make it all tie together. Idea..fabric that could be ''fussy cut. First machine or hand sew around the outline of the "patch applique on the front. Put same or similar fabric over the outline on the back. Baste, and z z closely around the applique on one side and it will be copying on the backing. Then carefully trim the edges on each side. I did this to put a satin whale applique on a bath mat (the toweling kind), and it turned out perfectly. I have a mat that is reversible with the same design on each side. I wouldn't worry about the batting---unless you are talking LARGE holes!