You're making them for her or you? If you get to keep it, then gently swishing it through warm water and just a little Orvis, which is what I use a lot of, and then shake it and put it in warm clear water, then lay flat to dry. Starch and iron.
Sounds like some of the other quilts that have been discussed and shown here on this forum, you might want to look back at some of them. The old fabrics have a wide range of where they've been stored, from closets to attics to boxes in barns and garages to some in dog houses and under cars to catch oil drips. Some will last many years more, some will grow older fast. Some should have muslin backing on each block and some will be okay on their own.
If you can contact a museum that handles old quilts or clothing, that might be a good way to find out. Some of the Grands you mention puts that fabric into a real old age.