cdilday

Quilt them!  
Since they are family heirlooms, if quilted they'll be used and displayed. As unquilted tops they'll be stored and be passed down and maybe not appreciated. Much more "valuable" quilted and on display.
I've quilted vintage tops on the longarm that dated to the 1920's without any problems besides an occasional seam repair. I even quilted a top that had some hand-quilting started and we decided to leave the hand-stitching alone since it was part of the legacy of the quilt.
Since vintage quilts are dated from the "youngest" element (whether it's the newest piece of fabric in a finished quilt or the date the actual quilting stitches were finished) that dating affects the value if the quilts are sold. A quilt finished in its era is more valuable (retail) than one machine quilted today but pieced in the 30's.
But your quilts are "family" and won't be sold--so finish them, wrap them around you and enjoy the hugs from your ancestors! 

Hi everyone! I'm finally responding to Ardelle's challenge to post pictures! Due to my crazy busy life, I was only able to complete 2 quilts in the past year. In less than 5 years, I've been blessed with 5 grandbabies... the 6th is due any day, and I haven't even started a baby quilt yet! These little munchkins plus a full time job keep a Gramma busy! LOL
Both quilts are bargellos... "Lightning Strikes" is one of my favorite patterns. The first, the green one, was made for my son's wedding last January. One of my first attempts at custom, I sweat buckets over the thought, but in the end, I'm pleased with how it turned out. I used Ronda Byer's rulers for the border... first attempt with them. They are so easy to use. Quilter's dream wool, it's my new favorite batting), and a silver/grey minky on the back. Ok, now to try posting pictures, fingers crossed that it works.

IMG_5811 by Sharon M2013, on Flickr

IMG_5818 by Sharon M2013, on Flickr

IMG_5814 by Sharon M2013, on Flickr

IMG_5812 by Sharon M2013, on Flickr

IMG_5824 by Sharon M2013, on Flickr


IMG_5820 by Sharon M2013, on Flickr
The second, oranges & browns, was for my daughter & son-in-law. She wanted the quilting to follow the lines of color. Was tons of rolling back & forth, I think it took longer than the first one. Again, Quilters dream wool, and brown minky on the back.
Both quilts are king size... 110 x 110 They take up my entire floor space in the living room

IMG_6206 by Sharon M2013, on Flickr

IMG_6207 by Sharon M2013, on Flickr

IMG_6208 by Sharon M2013, on Flickr

IMG_6214 by Sharon M2013, on Flickr

Both girls picked the Lightning Strikes pattern, and they each chose their own colors, all Jinny Byer fabrics. I have her portable pallette... such a wonderful tool for choosing fabrics, especially bargellos. No issues at all with the minky backing, it quilted beautifully
Thanks for looking, and thanks for the challenge Ardelle! And thanks also to Heidi for the instructions on using Flickr