This will be a wallhanging or a table topper so I am not really concerned about the stiffness...and really after a quilt has been used for a while I can't really tell what is inside. I have made so many machine applique quilts for my children and grandchildren and they have never noticed any extra stiffness. Of course, I don't make quilts to enter in shows either. I think that makes a difference. I think I will ask my kids about this.