Can white threads sewn onto white fabric be enhanced to reveal the detail?

Thank you all very much for your kind and detailed replies!  Unfortunately, I only have an existing photo from the Smithsonian, and the original 200 year old quilt is not accessible.  It really does help, though, to know that your advice is available for use when I do have access to the actual antique quilt.  Thanks again!

The image as it is has no separating information. Photoshop can only amplify information already there. In the final image, if you can't see it, it's not there. This is done with photographic techniques, pre-processing, not post-processing.

If the white thread is of different origin than the fabric, IR (or possibly UV fluorescence) would probably show it clearly.  White is only white in visible light; in other wavelengths they will most likely reflect differently and turn up with different "color". My immediate bet is on IR. (IR is inherently monochrome, so in reality different tone, but you can combine with visual wavelengths to produce false color images).

Raking light may also show it more clearly.

For this you need an IR/UV modified camera where the bandpass filter ("hot mirror") has been removed from the sensor. This extends the sensor's sensitivity into the infrared and ultraviolet ranges, and then you can use special bandpass filters to block visible light, leaving only the wavelengths you want.

There are companies that specialize in this, and ship new cameras with this modification. I have a Sony a7r IV thus modified. With a good macro lens such as the Sony 90/2.8, and the native sensor resolution at 9504 x 6336 pixels, you can go into as much detail as you like. This is forensic level. You use normal light for IR, I use studio flash units. For UV you need UV-emitting lights ("black light").

I wonder if Dag would have any ideas on this.  The museum quality work he does would surely be relevant.  I'd be approaching it as a macro shot using good quality, high resolution full frame camera.   I used a Canon 5DS for my comercial work.  Usually with the Canon 100mm macro lens, and two Bowens 250WS heads.  I think Dag uses 35mm, but he might even use large format for his museum work. 

@D Fosse 

@Sherry27520529cbtn  How big is the quilt?  One thing is for sure.  The screen shot you shared is not going to cut it.

If you could re-photograph it with raking light at a low angle, that could enhance the three dimensional texture of the quilting.