I'm the one who started this thread; the name of my shop is
Favorite Fabrics.
I think the 75x75 is a new fabric for Moda. What everyone is accustomed to is the 60x60. Lower thread count is not necessarily a bad thing (though I wouldn't care to go less than 60x60).
As to softness, I don't think that necessarily relates to thread count. The kind of finishing processes that are used on a cloth can affect the softness, or hand, of the fabric. Also the processes along the way, such as how much of the loose fiber or "nubbies" are singed off before printing.
This year we picked up a group of Studio E fabrics. This is the first time I had seen their fabrics in person. And when I touched them, they were wonderfully soft to the touch! So there are quite a lot of marvelous fabrics out there. And I'm glad that Moda will be going back to the 60x60. They are smart to give their customers what the customers really want. Quilters have LOTS of other brands to choose from!