If it's softness and touch that you're thinking of, perhaps you could try cream/ecru flannel on the face/outside of your quilt, leaving the wadding on the inside, for a similar effect with your applique.
Regardless, thinking outside the box as you're doing is a great way to start your quilting efforts!! It's the sign of a creative designer, perhaps one likely to be writing the next "new technique" book some day!!
Jan in VA