I bought blocks on eBay recently...some are fused applique but the others are pieced. I'm a newbie so I don't have a big stash of scraps to practice on and the scraps I do have are expensive fabric and I won't use them for practice. All of the blocks I bought were very inexpensive and well made. I need practice with machine applique and FMQ.
Six of the blocks are lovely dresden plates that I machine appliqued to make a (still in progress) small quilt top. It will be beautiful and I will give it to a friend as a thank-you gift. I'll post a pic when it's finished.
For me, buying those blocks was less expensive than buying fabric and I supported several sewers who have their own businesses. And I definitely was surprised how many completed blocks and tops are for sale on eBay.