Make sure that you starch them well before you try to applique them as some of that old fabric may be a little limp or flimsy. I just finished preparing an old set of Dresdan plates that I was given and used a muslin for the background squares and yellow for the centres. Now I am debating about the sashing. I may use a reproduction thirties print or some of the yellow from the centres as I don't have any of the fabric used in the fans.