"All along one side of the quilt, the top, batting and the partial pieced backing (flannel) were sewn together right
sides together..then some quilting (stitch in a ditch) was started along some rows of the squares, appearing to
leave the other three sides "open" (batting top and backing hanging out), as if waiting for binding."
Was she doing "envelope" or "pillowcase" method? That's the only thing that even sort of rings a bell to me.