They really need to be against a much darker background. They are lost against the white. Since the fabrics are from an "ancient" time they are so different from modern themes and deserve to be the focal point. I like "fatquarter's" idea for buttonhole stitch, basically the finished raw edge applique technique. But please, change the background fabric. Or let us seem some other ideas you have the the background. Whatever you choose, let us see a finished block or two, or the whole quilt when its done. Good luck.