The fabric used has an awful lot to do with the softness of the final product. When I buy fabric, I always try to to buy a fabric with a very soft “hand” to it. It really makes a difference. It doesn’t have to be the most expensive or least expensive. Just go into the store and FEEL everything. Let your fingers pick the softness of your fabric. If it feels good on your cheek, it will not be scratchy or feel tight when completed. Also I tend to large meander all over the quilt. Tight quilting tends to tighten up a quilt. When I hand quilt I do a large stitch and not too much. Really makes for soft, cuddly almost worn feeling quilts. Love them. Just the way I do it, take it with a grain of salt, just sayin. Sometimes I use used vintage sheets for the backing, as long as they are not stressed or thread bare. They are super soft. They hold up really well.