Patchwork totes

[http://users.livejournal.com/_runamok/]

I've been making some patchwork and log cabin totes lately, there's one more and a question behind

The tote below has some machine quilting on the top (its light pink and was hard to photograph - sorry!!), but my question is - do people prefer machine quilting, or do you like patchwork without it? I think due to the heavy interfacing I used on the seams of the tote above the fabric is well strong enough without it, but I was wondering if people prefer the look and feel of quilting, or find it distracting?
Thanks for looking--