ooooh I'm so glad you asked this one. I've been playing around with applique pieces and I'm finding that mine are too small, too big, or just plain impossible to use....I asked at our LQS where the owner is really into all types of needle arts. She suggested I use an in between size of my favorite brand, ginghers. Possibly a 6/7 inch pair.
The ones I'm using are too small and the embroidery scissors I have also seemed small when trying to cut the larger portions of my patterns. I have not ordered them yet (not carried in the store) because my sheers are just an inch or two longer and they're too big. I feel like I don't have any control with them. When I send my sheers in for sharpening, I think I'll check the gingher site to see what they suggest. Hope this helps.