What a wonderful thing for your friend. Every piece of fabric will be a treasure for her. I just inherited an old tie quilt myself. It was made by my great grandmother but I have no idea where all the ties came from. She has been gone many years so the history is sketchy. Some of the ties are shredded now but I intend to repair it someday. I think I can just applique new pieces onto it. The back has short and long quilting stitches like she was teaching somebody how to quilt.
I hope it's okay to attach my picture to your thread.