Since a few folks asked after I posted my star mugs, here's how I get the quilt look to read cleanly on curved ware. The big one: pick a block with strong lines and skip anything fussy. Sawtooth star, ohio star, churn dash, all great. Flying geese turn to mush on a round surface. Draw your block on paper first, then cut it out and hold it against the mug so you can see how the curve distorts it before you commit. I trace the design onto leather hard clay with a needle tool, then carve out the background with a small loop tool so the pattern sits proud. Underglaze or colored slip goes on after carving, then I sponge the top gently once it's tacky so the color stays only in the lines and the cream clay body shows through. That contrast is what makes it look quilted instead of just decorated.
Two things I learned the hard way. Keep the carve depth consistent or the glaze pools wierd in the deep spots, and wipe your loop tool constantly because clay buildup drags and tears your lines. Also, thin walls carve easier than thick ones, so throw or handbuild a bit slimmer than feels natural. My first attempt was so chunky the star looked like it was sunk in a ditch.