Sooooo true!! When I was in school in the early 60s, I would have died if I had had to wear clothes with holes in them. I now have custody of an almost 17-year-old, and have paid good money for jeans filled with holes. Unbelievable, but oh so true.

Thanks everyone for the ideas and thoughts. Gives me somethings to think about...

Maybe you could patch it with denim from this generation's jeans, just to keep it going. Also, whatever you're going to do, better pass it by BIL before starting. I've been on that Road of Good Intentions many times - it's a long way back.

I personally would just wash it gently, put a note of its provenance, and pack it away in an acid free container. From the pics it is not traditional blocks to be admired, so to display it is not something I would do. To try to repair those holes, tears...that fabric is probably so threadbare, others will pop up....best to put it to "rest". Jmho

Appliqués are a nice way to cover the oops in old quilts. My daughter had a very old simple patch quilt without batting which my grandmother had made for her she was about five. She loved it and took it to college with her as a "TV quilt." By the time she asked me to fix it, the quilt was literally shredded. What I did was gently install batting behind the top layer, placed it on top of a new flannel backing, gently pushed the shredded pieces together and then covered the top with the softest tulle possible. I quilted the whole thing on the frame with a simple, small meandering. Happy results!

You could possibly add a new backing then patch the holes from the front. That would give it stability and maybe add a few years it's life.

I think doing the easiest patch inside, then putting a second patch outside that is a little larger would fix the holes and also reinforce the fabric around it. I would X-stitch round the larger patch to make it look rustically repaired. May add some new character.

I would do a basting stitch with patches on the holes and secure with one knot. Then wash and let dry. Then repair after consulting with BIL.

I have to ask. I know, in the day, when a quilt got too worn, they used that quilt as batting and made a new top and backing, then tied the quilt. Would the BIL consider that?? It is why some old quilts are so heavy, multiple layers. Will the quilt, once repaired, have a loving display on the back of the couch or will it be used in the back seat of the car so the dogs don't mess up the upholstery??

I agree with filling in the hole and patching it on both sides, but I also suggest covering the top with wedding tulle and tacking it down with fairly close ties or machine knots. I repaired such a quilt for our church organist and the repair is hard to find.