now i see why the old term for batting is wadding - it's all wadded up

I just remembered something else you might do. My sister used some lace and sewed it over the weak parts to hold her quilt together then made pillows for each of her children and my daughter ....using a quilt that my grandmother had made many, many years ago. The lace was from her wedding gown...which made it extra special.

Very neat idea.

Thank you all so much for your repies! I have passed them on to my sister. And I am waiting to see what she would like to do. The house and farm where they came from are going up for auction. It may be too late to add the quilts in this time around. The link to the quilt histories was very interesting! And I have actually never heard the batting referred to as wadding. Now I know! But you are right. That is what it looks like. I wish so much I knew the history. We are almost positive they are from North Carolina. And my sister's first guess was the 1860s to 1880s. That ties in well with the link.

Hopefully I will eventually be able to update with interesting information!

Thanks again!

Only an appraiser will be able to give you a value on the quilts. But as all things they are only worth what someone will pay for them. I have seen and purchased old damaged quilts on ebay.

I believe that you can get assistance learning about them by sending an email to the International Quilt Study Center in Lincoln NE. They have wonderful collection and displays. http://www.quiltstudy.org/