wow pretty i would make a whole cloth quilt

Ditto.
I have several that my grand mother made. I don't use them very often, for I don't do many sit down dinners any longer. I think that they should be kept as table cloths.

I have embroidery pillowcases intended to do a pillowcase dresses for my GD's for wearing on special occasion, etc. Haven't had the courage yet to cut into it! But the tablecloth will be another thing ...using it as the focus point is ideal if you can use the right add on fabric 's to enchanced the beauty of it.
Good luck, sorry i can't really give you better info for your project.

I have the same one stitched in browns and golds from my grandmother. She made it in the 1970's. It is a 50/50 cotton poly mix, I think. I would keep it as a wholecloth quilt and get a quote on custom longarm quilting. I would find a suitable oversize fabric back as wide as the tablecloth, so that would not need to be pieced either. I would use the smalles binding edge possible. It would be spectacular.

You could add a border and put the edge of the table cloth over to be on top of the border and stitch it down and show the edges off.

I have two tablecloths that my mother embroidered back in the 60's, this sounds like a great idea. If anyone has done this, please show photos

I would turn it into a wholecloth top. I would not cut it at any cost; you would lose the striking beauty of the table cloth as a whole if you do that.

Great idea! Post pics when it's done!

I'm already picturing beautiful quilting on it as a whole cloth quilt to compliment the cross stitching. It will make a wonderful 2 generation, piece of history quilt. I agree that you should include a label on the back with the FULL history of it.

I would do it but that's because I don't like to not use an heirloom. It doesn't change the value of the item, just it's use!

HTH,
Marcia