Stashed in the car for picnics? Folded up for dog or cat beds? (I did this.) Cut into large squares or rectangles, sewn, stuffed and reused as pillows or chair cushions. There is no shame in repurposing damaged quilts in my opinion - you will give them a new life.

OMG, I would never use a piece of folk art as a dog bed or on the ground, sorry.

Yes, I know I have to cut into them, just can't bring myself to do it. Quilts are American (and other countries) folk art, so many stitches and so much time put in by women of the past. It just seems disrespectful to me to cut them up. In another generation, quilting may be almost a lost art.

I'm thinking of trying to repair and replace the bad parts, to keep them whole.

My grandmother quilted, my mother sewed, I can sew a little, my daughter won't even sew on a button. So to me, every quilt is precious.

Sounds like you know what you may want and don't want to do with them. Go for it in repairing and replacing parts that need that. Finding appropriate fabrics might be difficult (I think) but you'll like the challenge.

Restoration would be my first choice, but I would not rule out using the good parts for other projects, just have to get over my squeamishness at using those scissors.