I have a t-shirt with holes that a too big not to put something over for a quilt that I am making for my son. Thought that I would use a piece from the part of the shirt that I am not going to use and then stitch it in place with matching thread. It is a Grateful Dead shirt that was worn and washed many, many times.

I would discuss this with your friend FIRST - sometimes people just don't 'see' how badly worn out some things are.

A little stabilizer and sew over it. That should hold just fine. I think it adds character...you just don't want batting to show through. :)