One of the special treasures of my life has been the advancing ability, due to just doing it, of mending and repairing beloved quilts and making a pieced top (somewhat like a table cloth) into something useful for the current owners. In addition of .ooking for "old" pieces in thrift stores and yard sales, etc., I found that constantly looking at new cloth, especially in plain colors as well as reproduction prints helps in finding what can be useful. I wash these pieces many times, using bleach to "lighten" and soften specific pieces, to blend in with the original. All the suggestions on how to insert and repair the damage are great.....And please, don't dispair. What better legacy than to keep your grandmother's quilt viable for many years yet.