Recycled silk neckties work well for a curvy modern-look quilt.  I have one in progress that started with a focal tie that is interesting to say the least!  Nine more ties were located to coordinate.  I placed the focus tie diagonally across a piece of stable batting (a scrap of needle-punched cotton/poly), trimming a bit to emphasize the curves.  Then I started sewing and flipping strips from the coordinates to fill the scrap.  I'll show the finished piece next time...