As I always quilt my projects, I own a few books with quilting designs. Looking at them, one can easily see how they could be used as patterns for embroidery and applique. Have you used any designs as such? Those with continuous line lend themselves more readily for stitchery and applique. One book in particular comes to mind, with designs so lovely I have thumbed through its pages very often for inspiration: Hari Walner’s Continuous-Line Quilting Designs: 80 Patterns for Blocks, Borders, Corners, & Backgrounds (I found it here). Check it out and you will know what I mean – major eye candy!