Back in the 70s, I remember a lot of things being done with fake fur and corduroy and yes, even double knits! All of which could translate to minkie, something like these huge posies could be fun
https://www.amazon.com/Better-Homes-.../dp/0696013959
Another thing was making double-sided squares and then sewing them together. Can do all by machine if you want, or you can do the final assembly by hand, usually they were rather large like 6-10".