There are other ways to preserve the memories but if it's anything like my linen things...there's just no way to patch and use the items for anything. The fibers are simply disintegrated and falling apart. Sewing on it - they come apart and the stitching just pulls through.

After I answered your question, I checked my t-shirts which are all cotton and some are pretty old and nearly all of them have holes - even the newer ones. Some that had lasted for years before the wear sort of accelerated. They're not deteriorating as fast as my linen things did but...I don't know. They are very soft...LOL - but wearing out abnormally fast. I just assumed they were cheap, Chinese fabrics...

And the linen - linen should last and last - even being scrubbed on washboards. Of course, they probably didn't wash them as often in the old days but, still...

Apparently, I owe the Chinese an apology.