I have a friend here in Northern Michigan who makes 2 or 3 string quilts every year- yes, they are heavy...but she always brings them to me- with batting - to quilt them for her---she has used Warm & Natural, Hobbs 80/20 and Dream Poly...all of them have turned out very nice---and the Hobbs drapes the best (in my opinion) I don't know why your friends would think it would not drape---I think it makes them drape so much nicer than without batting. and makes them soft & cozy. I generally do a nice, large swirly quilting pattern on them-- or big meandering pattern- I love her string quilts- and so do the people she gives them to- I vote for a nice batting- like 80/20.
