I used fleece for a baby quilt because I know the mother will just throw it in the wash. I pre-washed the material to shrink it before I sandwiched it.

I'd rather have the quilt used & worn out than not used because it's 'too much trouble'. ☺

Cara, If you want a fluffier quilt, maybe use a different type of batting? Also, I think the more quilting there is, the less puffier it is.

Cara, I've not used it myself, but I've read that polyester batting will make a fluffier, lighter quilt. I imagine the thicker the batting is, the fluffier the quilt will be. As Sharon said, less quilting is better.