lessons learned. I hope you appliqued around the edges too? even fused will fray on the edges.. I think it wont get softer but if its not the whole of the quilt maybe it wont matter? like right near the top where one might handle it the most? batting wont make it softer but might make it less noticeable if the feel is fluffy over all. just a thought. I sure hate sewing fluffy batting however. yuck!