Help with a quilt
 

I made a coin quilt with a pieced backing (random size pieces sewn together) about 10 years ago. It was the first quilt I learned to fmq on. But unfortunately I didn't get it quilted enough so the batting has shifted and or disappeared in places. The front is in excellent condition. Would it be worth taking the quilt apart and salvage the front with new batting and backing?

It would depend on how much stitching is involved. I have removed tons of stitching from a quilt (one that I didn't like when it was done), and it's not fun, but I was so much happier with the end result when I re-quilted it.

I would say yes if you love the top. Especially if you’re willing to sacrifice the current batting and backing.

If it were me I'd start from scratch and make a new one, but then I'm a lazy and wouldn't want to put in the work it would take to rip out all the FMQ. Good luck whichever way you decide to go.

I accept that quilts can be less than perfect and that they age with time, I rarely go back and do anything to any of my own projects. I can also accept that sometimes I take old tops from the thrift store and do things with them. Or, the quilt I made my hubby (we met on the internet, it was for before we were together) that he pretty much destroyed the vintage fabric I used for the back and simply quilted a new back with a different design over the whole thing.

Anyway, if the problem is that you only followed the grid of the squares something easy like that, sure you can take out the stitching if you want. Or... you can carefully lift up the fabric from the back, cut a slit in it and grab out as much of the bad batting as you can. You can then leave the fabric there or carefully snip around, leaving maybe 1/2" around the quilting lines. That's the solution I've found for 6-12" grid lines and baggy batting.

Then you can put on a fresh piece of batting along with a new back, just a back, or maybe just a layer of flannel in-between.

Sometimes all you can do with a well loved quilt is use it as batting for the next one, but you do need to deal with the lump factor and in your case your top is still worth working on/keeping it going in the future.

I don't generally use old quilts as batting but I have more than once especially when taking a cherished blanky and incorporating it hidden into an adult top or for other sentimental/personal reasons. It's still there, our little secret just the quilter and the recipient need to know.

I have several quilts to pick apart right now that I feel are worth the work while there are 3 others that are not worth the effort. What I have decided to do with those is cut them down and make them in to charity for an animal shelter.

I thought the same as Iceblossom.

If it was a quilt I really liked I would take it apart.

If you take it apart and use new batting and backing. I think you would like it better.

only you can answer if it's worth your time. There is a way to "skin" the quilting stitches if you are not going to use the back/batting again. Get a beard razor--they are disposable and you find them at drug stores, long handle and a blade on the end. First take off the binding, then working from the back, pull the backing up and start "razoring" through the thread. Goes pretty quick but you won't be able to use the back/bat again.

I have skinned a quilt...it wasn't fun..took quite some time and patience but in the end I was happy......hope I never do it again though!

I’d have to really love the quilt top to do all that work. Some things have seen better days and meant to be retired in my opinion. If it was an heirloom I would think differently.

I had an experience that was similar to some extent. I struggled and made a quilt top and dove in to free motion quilting being quite sure I knew what I was doing. When I finished, I flipped the quilt over and found tucks, eyelashes and generally a mess. Lessons learned. So, after much contemplation, methodically picked out all of the quilting and started over. From that point on this has been my favorite quilt that I use frequently. After spending so much time with the piece, how could I not hold it close when I need some quilt comfort.

You said the "front is in excellent condition." Do you love it, or really like it? I would use that as your guide. It doesn't sound like it's heavily quilted. I personally love to do things that may salvage something 'old". I've had people tell me they think doing so is a waste of time, but I get such a sense of personal satisfaction from fixing something. You have to be the judge!

Barbie, I may be embarking on the same thing. I made a quilt last year that I love but did a terrible job machine quilting it. I can't stand looking at it!
But my skills are improving so I may take out the quilting and redo it.
I think I'll tackle it while we binge watch one of the Netflix series we're watching.

I know I won't enjoy it the way it looks now but the top came out really nice and it was a challenge for me.

I really do like the quilt. It was the second one I made. I will dive in and take the plunge of tearing out the stitch to save the top.