When I was a little girl I had a pink cordoroy quilt I loved it. There was a clothing factory where I lived and 2 times a year they opened the dorrs and sold not cloths but the fabric they made them with. Fabric that was SUPER wide They had the softest cordory in pink. I bought it an back a quilt for my DD. I love it.
As for your quilt being too heavy I don't think it will be if you don't use batting. However I myself would use batting the person is not going to be overseas forever.