wow I love the quilt and yes if you aren't happy by all means remove the stitching. I leave a couple in just so the quilt is basted and when I put the quilt back on the frame I don't have to do all the pinning and prep work. I have even sewn fabric to the edges of the quilt so I had enough space to quilt all the quilt again. Did you tell her exactly ow you wan't it quilted. Unless you are very experienced you may not know how to quilt to show your applique off.