You may want to take little darts in the edges so it won't pleat- wouldn't be as obvious. I repaired a similar type quilt & like you, wish I hadn't tackled the job! I couldn't take the ties out because they left big holes. I put a new back on over the old one & machine quilted little circles around all of the ties & where they had come out. I was pleased with how it came out but it took a lot of time. Good luck!