Thanks everyone for your kind comments. The first Compass Rose table runner I did which was for me has suffered because even though I did quite a bit of echo quilting it just hasn't survived the push and shove of fruit bowls, and numerous washes from spilt coffees etc so as this runner is destined for a young family whose table serves as an eating place, a dolly planet, a homework station, a crafting table and a dinosaur landing place I decided it would need some heavy, close quilting to help it be as utilitarian as possible as well as pretty and serviceable. I think it's going to survive the fruit bowls and dinosaurs.