I made this mistake myself...I had completed this wonderful paper pieced hexagon quilt top. I was so proud of the fabrics I had chosen, the seams matched in every direction, plus the quilt top just had the most wonderful "movement". I tried to get all of those paper pieces off and was not succeeding; brilliant idea...just wash it and they will all be gone! Lesson learned....the quilt disappeared in the trash. There was no way to save it.
Sorry you experienced something similiar...but at least your quilt top is still usable! Thanks for sharing.