I have a 70 year old quilt top that belonged to my mil. Her grandmother made it for her when she was a child. It had been quilted a couple of times but now is just a very raggedy quilt top. She was going to throw it away but I kept it.
I am thinking of making a sweatshirt for my mil with it. I think there is enough of it intact to do this. Would you cut this up or is that some kind of sin? I am sure that she would love it.
Then there would be the challenge of figuring out how to do it.

Its your quilt I guess. 70 years old - its almost an antique. If it was mine, I wouldn't cut it up!! I'd try and patch it - isn't that what patchwork is all about?

personally if i could I would make it into a smaller quilt and keep the torn areas for extra parts.

It's beautiful and yes, for me I'd not want to cut into it, rather to repair it.

From what you have shown you can probably repair it. Then have it quilted which would help stabilize it for a long time into the future.

Yes it may take some work ... but oh the enjoyment in doing so and the rewards in seeing it completed.

Of course, it's yours .... if a sweatshirt makes sense to you, then that's certainly your prerogative.

Hmmm... who would get more pleasure out of it, your MIL or you? Maybe that should guide your decision.

Wherever it brings the most joy, maybe that's where it should be...

Since it appears to only be coming apart at seams, it would be very simple (but time consuming) to just hand stitch those areas back together. If you need help with how to do this, PM me.

I have a quilt that has been passed down many times. When it gets worn down to beyond repair another layer gets put on. My baby blanket is even in their.

it's a top only, isn't it? I'd finish it off and find some way to display it, NO CUTTING!

My advice as well.

I cut old tattered quilt tops all the time to make items that will be used. All the kids have Christmas stockings made from one of my grandmother's quilts. I've made teddy bears, pincushions from the scraps, doll quilts, and totes. I would frame a piece of the quilt if it meant a lot to me but use the rest of it.