After reading through these, I agree with not cutting it to make it smaller. Another reason not to give it to a cancer patient is that most of them are in chemo & so the quilt have to be washed often if they are used. This quilt would not hold up to that kind of treatment. I think we will probably have it finished after Christmas. I'll try to post a pic after it is quilted. I didn't know if having it long arm quilted would decrease the value of it but most of you seem to think it would be the best way to go. Thanks for all of your comments & I'll let you know how we make out with it!!