I have a few baby quilts and blankets that I just adored. I was so worried about staining and ruining them, that I stored them away. Now that they are all grown, I often wish i would have let them get well loved. instead of "preserving" them or "saving" them. I often ask "Saving it for what?"
Maybe this is what they were thinking to. Glad you found it and it can get well loved now.