I had that happen once years ago. I blamed it on the batting at the time, because it was a yard sale find and I was never sure of its origins. I took a Bic lighter and melted them all off.
The quilt was a Hurricane quilt (hurricane Hugo) for SIL - sailboats all named by family members. The center block was a sailboat going down, named Hugo. Wish I had a picture of it - it was cute.
I wonder how many Katrina quilts have been made. Anyone here do one?