Creativity was wide open with women sewing asymmetrical pieces of fabric together in abstract arrangements.
The rage died down in approximately 1910, but its back again!
This is a great project for when the weather is bad outside.

It doesnt matter what sort of fabric you use in these blocks.
If youre just starting out, Id stick to cotton, as it is the easiest to deal with.
Get a good variety of fabric, so you have lots of diversity in your square.
Watch how Missouri Star Quilt Company makes this cool looking quilting in her step by step tutorial.