I came across this a while back:

http://www.sewingdaisies.com.au/sewi...n-blanket.html

A pretty ingenious way of melding pieces of fabric with crochet borders.

I don't know if it's appropriate - or even desirable - for your piece, but it's an interesting option.

Although, personally, I'd use it as a tablecloth, unadorned with additional fabric.
Not saying I wouldn't dye it, but that's just me.

Kim44, your mother would be very honored and proud of how you have cared for and loved her work. Placing these lovely dollies together is a treasure, and you definately should finish your vision. If nothing else place it on a large wall or on a display bar for everyone to enjoy. Very touching and beautiful!

I have some treasures from my grandmother, who crocheted all the time. I agree with those who said to use it as a table cloth. I have a beautiful, heavy bedspread that we can't use it on our bed, so I put it on a spare bed (unless we have company). The problem we have had with the bedspread is that DH loves to lay on the bed and the knots of thread while strong enough if the bedspread is just laying on the bed does not stand up to being layed on and I have had to patch the blocks as they have pulled apart (and the pattern is soooo complicated that it is a real struggle to re-do the stitches).

I made aquilt a few years back using crocheted doilies as fan. I finished it off with a crocheted border. I would post apicture but cannot figure out how. Any one help me out there?

definitely a tablecloth!

I would not try to layer it onto fabric because of different rates of shrinkage. Instead I think I would use it as a tablecloth either on the bare wooden table or over solid coloured cloth. It is very beautiful.

Under no circumstance would I sew this gorgeous piece to anything. Make a colored piece to put under it, maybe with a ruffle at the bottom to make it the right size, like a bedskirt, and then just lay it on top. My mother did this when the piece she was crocheting got too heavy and she didn't want to make it the size of the bed, and it was beautiful. This is absolutely gorgeous and an heirloom, and your priority should be to not do harm to it.

I agree that attempting to attach this to fabric and quilt it might get you in deeper than you want. As a table covering for special family occasions would be the best and highest use in my opinion. Lots of people would be able to see and admire it at one time, and your mother would be so honored!
Dayle

It would be a beautiful tablecloth. I have 2 my mother made.

I remember those curtain stretchers, too. Rows of little nail-like points in a long rectangle. What women went through to have a pretty home!