I finally found the thread I wanted to point out to you earlier. A longarmer had finished an old hand pieced top for a client and there was a discussion about what was the correct way to quilt the top. I know you've already decided to have it machine quilted, but thought you'd enjoy reading what others had to say about that old quilt and machine quilting old tops in general.
Rescued?
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...ed-t48137.html
Darren