Thanks for the quick replies..... I've been stewing over this for two days!!!! I have a walking foot on my machine and it should be able to handle the thickness. Machine sewing is my choice, I think, but as VickyS reminded me, it will be used to lean against or even nap on, so it does need to be sturdy stitching.
Again, thanks everyone. At this point I just want it f-i-n-s-h-e-d, if you know what I mean.