If you use a seam ripper, just take out the bobbin stitches- on the back, all the way across, then pull the top stitches, all the way across you will be done a lot faster. I rip a lot and this is how I do it, done in no time.
As loose as the bobbin stitches are you should be able to go about every 6 - 8 stitches or inches.
What a mess, good thing you didn't pay for that job.
The top is beautiful and worth the time to fix it.