I have a family heirloom. it is a wedding ring quilt top only. Ihave beentold so many different things i am confused. ops sent in error 1. dont finish it or make it larger it will decrease value. 2. just fold it up a put away do not use plastic bags to store ? use plastic bags put put moth balls in bag puh. help

Many older/antique tops will lose their monetary value if you complete them. However that is your choice whether to complete it and use it, leave it as it is. :D:D:D
I would not store it in a plastic bag as it could draw moisture and mildew, nor would I put moth balls on the fabric. The moth balls could ruin/stain it.
Wrap it in acid free tissue, ball up the tissue so that it keeps the quilts fold lines from being sharp creases, and wrap it in the tissue. Do not lay it on bare wood, that can cause staining. Put it in a drawer, take it out and refold it every couple of months. You could put moth balls in the drawer if that is a concern.
I would love to see a picture of this treasure :D:D:D
Hint:don't hit preview when trying to download pictures :wink:

I would finish it and display it proudly!

There are two schools of thought on the finish/don't finish question. Some people think that if you or someone else finishes the quilt, it diminishes the value because it's no longer a "pure" heirloom. Others feel that the top was originally intended to be used or displayed so it really needs to be finished to fulfill its purpose. Do what you feel is right for your particular quilt or family. If you think the quiltmaker would want you to finish her work so that it can be enjoyed as a finished product, by all means do so if you feel you or someone else can do it justice. If the quilt top is in a very fragile state, you may not want have it quilted but only preserved in its current state. Do what makes you happiest and don't worry about what someone else thinks is "right". We'd love to see pictures, too!

Value doesn't matter unless you're planning on selling it. If you like it & plan to keep it, finish it.

Finish it. It is worthless to you as it is.

pictures all pieces are hand sewn together.

Beautiful...seems a shame not to finish and use it/treasure it. :) IMHO

Ooooo very very pretty!!!! :D:D:D
Would it have more value to you finished and being used? What would the family member who pieced it want?

That looks like a 1930s quilt (bubblegum pink, etc.). Personally, I'd finish the top and use it.

I had some dresden plate blocks that are about the same time frame 30-40 era. I sewed them together, quilted them up and I am so happy with the results!! I don't care what the value is to anyone else since they are a greater value to me now. They are beautiful and I feel like they have become what the originator decided they should have been. They were given to me 20 yrs ago by the family of a friend who passed away. Wish I hadn't waited so long to do this.

Definitely finish it! It's beautiful. You say it's a family heirloom...who pieced it?...Was it made for someone in particular?

I think you should finish it and if you know who made the quilt document that information and your information. If you are worried about monetary value now, well in a few more years it will increase again our great grandkids will see it on antiques road show and they will say it's worth lots of money because two different people worked on it. It will be a collectors item.

good news quilt made it thru wash and dry no stress on fabric. I found out it was made in the 30's by my grandma.(she had 12 children dont know when she found time to quilt.) it was made with feedsacks and outgrown clothing some was from my dads pj,s so i'll definitely finish it i would like to make it bigger so will be working on that thanks for all the advise. ps when it came out of the dryer i wrapped it around myself felt good

Way to go....that's the way quilts should be loved :). Glad you found the history on it. Wow--dad's pjs :) :). Definitely something to cherish.