I bought a large crochet tablecloth at an antique store. I had plans on
using it as a bed coverlet. It didn’t cost much because there were several
noticeable stains on it, so the dealer marked it down.

The shop was not well lit. Once I got it home, I saw that
there was a lot more damage than I thought. Not just the stains, but a lot of
gaps that had been amateurishly repaired with big running stitches. I don’t crochet,
but I have sewn plenty of repairs on crocheted pieces, as long as I can link up
loose sections and not have to recreate them.

There is too much damage to repair them all. On top of that
the measurements on the tag were way off. It is not nearly big enough to fit my
bed.

Though I cringe to do it to a piece of crochet, I thought of
cutting off the best section (one side) and using it for a pillow layover. But if I did…how would I secure the cut ends?
Machine or handstitch thoroughly, around the edge of a row of motifs, before cutting? Do a buttonhole stitch after
cutting?

Thanks for your advice.