dating and washing(?) a quilt

DH brought home this quilt when he helped his mom empty the home of a deceased aunt and uncle. No one has any clue who made it or how old it is. Does anyone out there have an idea how old it might be?



I'm guessing it might have been made in the 50's, or maybe earlier. I think I recognize some feed sacks.


The binding is not worn at all. The hand quilting consists of rather large stitches, but very even. The lines of quilting are about an inch to and inch and a half apart (along the strips).



If you hold the quilt up to the light, there are spots where there is obviously no batting. This aunt and uncle were rather well off when they died, but he was originally from a poor farm family in rural Alabama. I'm wondering if the batting was raw cotton.



There are some spots where it looks like something was spilled on it, either while it was being made or in one of the obviously rare uses.

Do I dare wash this quilt in a new front loading washing machine, on "handwash", or do you think I had better do the hand wash in the bath tub routine?

Laura in Alabama


PS I like the back better than the front!