When I first started crafting we would do trapunto which was putting two layers of fabric together and sewing around something on the top layer then slitting the bottom layer and stuffing with fiberfill sometimes we would use a design on the front or just do circles to give it some depth

looks like an attempt at a biscuit quilt. Not the usual way to make one. but people experiment all the time

After taking it all apart I do think that was the intent. The middle star still looked good because the batting ball stayed in the whole are it was to be in. I have a feeling once upon a time this was very comfy - but now it was just a bit worn.

I have all the little balls out and the backing off. Thank goodness for a good seam ripper :)

I looked at your original post with the pictures of the front and it is not a biscuit quilt. I wonder if who ever made it just didn't know about batting and decided to use poly fill. It did appear that they used some thin fabric to cut a hole in and slip the poly fill into. It's hard to know what they were thinking. It will be a beautiful quilt when you get it done. :thumbup:

I looked at your original post with the pictures of the front and it is not a biscuit quilt. I wonder if who ever made it just didn't know about batting and decided to use poly fill. It did appear that they used some thin fabric to cut a hole in and slip the poly fill into. It's hard to know what they were thinking. It will be a beautiful quilt when you get it done. :thumbup:

Cotton balls? Looks as though it may have been a sheet cotton, like the kind once used under Christmas trees or bandaging. Can't determine the covering over it, perhaps an old curtain sheer? When washed, multiple times, the cotton balled, leaving this puzzle. Desperate times call for desperate measures.