As a LA I appreciate customers giving me guidance on what they want--the density of quilting, the type of design, what they are thinking about thread color(s), type of thread desired and batting. I would recommend that you think about wool bat for that softer feel--even though it' little pricey. And I think that each quilt needs it's "own" quilting--whether it be hand quilting, machine, Big stitch,etc.
A