I made baby quilts for my niece's twins last summer. She picked the fabrics and design--very modern. She specifically asked for straight-line quilting, and showed me a picture with 1/4" spacing. I was skeptical, but didn't want to argue with her because she was on bed rest for six months! They are great for play time and to use as coverlets, but not cuddly soft. Since babies aren't supposed to sleep with sheets or quilts anymore, it didn't matter. She uses them all the time.
After washing, they are definitely not as pliable as regularly spaced quilts, but I would use this type of quilt as a spread for display on an adult bed if I wanted the texture of dense quilting.