The thought of the quilt being destroyed is heart breaking.
Yesterday while searching for ideas for old windows I found these! take a look might be something you could do with areas of the quilt that ARE savable!
http://www.aidenloveszoe.com/images/...loralquilt.jpg
http://www.meganandscott.com/Project...ows_Quilts.htm
http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/...-window-frames