You could always do something like 12 x12 squares and then sew them together. Or if you make one big piece and don't like it, then cut it into squares up and sew it back together. I think it sounds very "think outside the box", which I love!
Tippy

Our entire family was blessed with quilts from my grandmother made this way. Since we sewed our own clothes, there were odd shaped scraps left and she USED them. She started with an old sheet as foundation, started laying out the crazy pieces from the corners in to the center. It was all done by hand. She did the herring bone stitch in crochet cotton to hold the folded edge of the next piece over the previous piece placed down before it. (does that make sense?) She sorted her fabrics - so there were some quilts made of corduroy or doubleknit polyester. Those were heavy enough not to need batting once a heavy duty backing was added. My daughter still uses the cotton and cotton blend polyester one of flower prints on her bed. My mother brought us that quilt top after my grandmother died. Mom offered to handquilt if I sandwiched it with batting and backing. It was big stitch quilting an inch in from the edge of each piece. The hard part came when I was trying to square it up for binding. My mother and I would run one side along the edge of the ping pong table and then wonder how much we'd have to cut of the other 3 sides to make 90 degree angles on it. We laughed so much, that my father, the electrical engineer had to come "help". He too threw up his hands, but we finally accomplished the impossible. My daughter makes me repair the patches that are worn every so often. Yep - Grandma's generation never threw anything out.

Patty, your description of your quilt reminds me of the crazy quilt my grandmother had made. She, too, had taken an old sheet that was too thin for use on a bed, and sewed large pieces of fabric onto it. A simple calico backing was put on it, and it was quilted with a long running stitch using crochet cotton. Wish I still had it, but it was well-used and just plain worn out!

Growing up, my idea of quilting was just this. It's the type of quilts my grandmother made. She was born at the tail end of the Great Depression and that's how her mother and older sisters made quilts for the family. They would start with a bed sheet and just start adding pieces with zig zag stitches. Those were the only quilts I was ever exposed to until I reached adulthood and saw other styles. I have such fond memories of those quilts, and one day, I'll make one for each of my girls, using some fabrics from their favorite clothes the way my Gram did for me. I think it's a great idea and can't wait to see what you do.

I sort of did this I think...
 

Check out my Star Struck quilt. I enlarged the block to make a big center since my dad wanted a bed quilt and not a lap quilt that I had blocks for already (see start border).

Kyia

I have done this on muslin with batting on top. For the crazy quilt I used small patches of velveteen cut random and embroidered. After I had the size I wanted to work with I cut out the fabric to make Christmas stockings and other things. I think it would have made cute small handbag. I got the idea from a book.

I have done this using muslin for the backing and batting on top. Using cotton velveteen of random sizes and shapes and embroidery. I can't rember where I began applying the velveteen....maybe I can find the book I got the idea from. When I had the desired amount for the project I remember making Christmas stockings for the mantle. I think this would make a really cute handbag for the holidays.

Sorry for the double post...............I thought it didn't post so I did it all over again. lol

Creative ideas come from creative people not afraid to TRY. IT should work and so what if it doesn't? Sounds like a fun project to me.

I just remembered that I do have one of my Gram's quilts still. It's only partially done, but I can post a pic of it, tomorrow.