I have used homespun fabrics for years...they hold up wonderfully, both for pieced and appliqued quilts. Sometimes I will mix the homespuns with prints, but have also made many quilts just using the homespun fabrics. Pattern suggestions...just about anything, but if using larger plaids, you probably want larger pieces to show it off. I usually mix smaller plaids, mid size plaids, small checks, mid size checks and strips.I think the larger plaids are harder to work with, except for borders. Have fun!