As a longarm quilter my goal is always to enhance the client's piecing not show off my quilting. That is why getting the clients input on the quilting is a priority for me rather than having them drop the top off and have them say do whatever. I have found careful questioning will reveal they have at least some likes or dislikes. The type of batting will also greatly influence the softness or stiffness of a heavily quilted quilt. If it's intended for show it seems like heavier quilting is desired.