you should follow the recommendations on the batting packaging for the distance-- some battings need to be quilted every 2" some allow up to 10" between quilting lines- and everything in between. are your quilts stiff after they are laundered? or is this straight off the quilt frame? what kind of fabrics are you using? what batting are you using? I've had some quilts with really dense, intricate quilting on them still be wonderfully soft & fluffy when they come out of the dryer. there are a lot of variables that determine how a quilt will drape, fluffiness/loft, warmth;