I have a crazy quilt top I got a a yard sale today. It is made with 18 inch squares.. She sewed crazy quilt pieces on to the 18 inch squares by hand. Then she attached the 18 inch squares together to make the top. Also sewn by hand. It seems to be made out of ties and silky material. The newspaper from the box is dated 1979. How should I finish this quilt? I think it needs a back and edges and how would you quilt it? How would you wash the quilt top? It is a bit musty smelling. It is very colorful.

I had to quilt an old crazy quilt made with mens wool suits. I used a clear poly thread with the LAM. I turned out great. I didn't want to take away from the pretty stitches. Don't clean it until you have finished it. In this case the owner of the quilt put it in the dryer with one of those dry cleaner things.

I would not try to clean a silk crazy quilt if it is really old. Maybe just air it out?
Crazy quilts are usually not quilted, just tied, although there are exceptions.

Got a picture?

I wouldn't dare wash it. Just hang it out to air.

most crazy quilts are backed and tied due to embellishements- you did not say- is it embellished? lots of embroidery, beads, charms?
if it is simply pieced without all the embellishing you could quilt it if you want.
wait until it is finished-quilted or tied- and bound before cleaning it.
if the smell bothers you you could put it in a bag with baking soda to absorb the odors- or put it outside and air it a bit- then finish it- then clean it
show us pictures if you are able- you know we love to see them! :)

and if its from the 70's its really not an antique=== antiques are generally over 100 years old- i know the 70's seem like forever ago to some-but it's really not that old :)

It was from a lady who's MIL died a long time ago. She must have worked on it for years. It looks like it was put in a box in 1979 near as I can tell. Not much embellishments - just different colors of shiny thread embroidery in a cross stitch.