RagTime Quilt quilting?

Most directions that I've seen online for this quilt include sewing an "X" thru the pieces of fabric, and then sewing the pieces together. Has anyone ever tried sewing "curly Q's" or other shapes into the center (I guess this would be the actual quilting of the quilt). I'm starting a baby ragtime for a co-worker, but would like to put shapes in the center of some of the solid colored flannels (hearts, circles, curly Q). I'm scared to start since this will be a present. Any insight would be great.