have any you used them for applique work?
How do they hold up?
Should they be washed prior to doing the hand work on them?

I think I want to make some for gifts, but have never FELT these, so not sure what to expect!

THanks

Are these new towels or vintage? I've seen some reproductions of 30's style towels in needlework catalogs. I can't help with an answer to your question, though.

aren't they basically "flour sack" towels????

If so, they do well with blanket stitched or light zigzagd applique

I've embroidered. Painted flour sack and worked great

these will be brand new versions of the 30's style with the red, blue, and green stripes at the bottom...

I want to machine applique around some SBS cut outs!

I bought those towels at Hobby Lobby a few months ago. They are heavier than flour sack towels and need a few wash and dry cycles to soften them up to become absorbent. I did not embelish my towels...I liked them well enough just plain. I can tell you that the edges curl and wrinkle after washing and I have been tempted to iron them flat, but what the hay....they are just my everyday dish towels so they stay wrinkled. lol They are holding up very well and I think I will use them a long time, so I would say they are worth the price.

THANK YOU!...I appreciate your reply. So no fading or bleeding of the colored stripes then? Safe to go ahead and just applique on?
I am so happy...I am ordering a set of red, blue, green and multi...now to plan the appliques!

No fading or bleeding of the colored stripes.....I have even bleached mine a few times......and they still look great. Enjoy your project!