i've used it a lot. weighs a ton, but WARM. keeps you pinned to the bed. if you plan to make fast getaway, don't use it. i've used it for accessories and the like. definitely wash several times with like colors. they bleed a lot and fray. they also often fade a lot in washing. if you plan to dry the quilt, then dry the fabric. they do shrink. i would use thin batting. if you use something sturdy and thin, like a sheet (which i don't normally like) for the back, you MIGHT be able to sitd. if not then use embroidery thread, all 6 strands, and go around 2x. then tie off, left over right, then right over left. trim the ends no longer than 1". i tie off on the back so it doesn't show on the front. the threads gets ragged, so you don't want to make them a focal point. you want to focus on the pretty prints. please show us what you do. nice score.