They are wonderful for applique. However check for bleeding with all the over dyed ones as so many of them are going to bleed. I usually take each one I am interesting in doing a project with and put a white or clear bowl in the sink while I check for bleeding. If it is then I get out a plastic glove and my bottle of ReTayne which is a product available at most quilt shops. It stops the bleeding. I usually add maybe a teaspoon full in the bowl with clear water for less then a yard and let it sit in the bowl a minute or so and then rinse it and make sure its set by checking it again in clear water. Its simple and prevents the color from ruining your project. I had one piece of fabric that was kind of a rust and it turned the water hot pink. That was a shock. They remain one of my favorite fabrics.