I too am guilty of fondling fabric especially at Joann's. They have all these big bolts of minkee type fabric and I just have to put my paws on them.
When I was a teenager, my Aunt helped me make 3 quilts. One I bought tiger striped flannel for the backing. Everytime my best friend came over she would grab my quilt and pet it. So, when she got married, I gave her the quilt.
Several years ago, I gave my youngest a quilt for his 17th birthday. It was backed in Minkee and to this day, he still wraps himself up in that quilt and I have even caught him petting it! It's so good to see someone love something you make them.