I have done this so many times in my quilting years that I can't count them any more. HST's are the best starting point for most quilts. One of my favorite quilts for HST's is the Depression Quilt Blocks they make a great quilt and I have made many of them. Nice and scrappy. Here is the link
https://www.quilterscache.com/D/DepressionBlock.html .
Right now I am working on quilts using my Accuquilt system and the many dies I have not used yet. So the next one will be a pineapple quilt. I made a Pineapple Quilt about 25 years ago so this will be a good challenge for me to try this time around. I have enough to keep me busy for a couple years as I see it.
You are on the right track with the HST's I am sure you will come up with something good to share here in the near future.