Welcome to the QB from SE Michigan! I am so sorry that this keepsake had this devastating problem. One reason to use a good bat. And the stitching so sad. It sounds like you are an experienced quilter and know to well when something has these problems it was in the quality of the product and not by any fault of a loved one. As Tartan said you could still put it on display after taking it apart and putting a new bat and backing on it. I am glad you jumped right in and I hope to see a lot of you here. Again welcome to the QB.