Do you count only what you see on the top? Or top and bottom?

You can do both. It seems to be a matter of personal choice! I only count on the top of the quilt.

By the way: Eveness and consistency is much more important than the length of your stitches!

I was just curious cause I see a lot of people say they have 8 or 10 stitches per inch. I have six that show on top...

That's fine! Hand quilting is like hand writing, everybody has a personal style. Maybe you stitch length will change with practice, maybe you keep it like that! It also depends on the fabric and the batting you use.

I'm kinda OCD but counting my stitches is something I do not do. I am not making show quilts, but gifts and if I am happy with the way it looks that's all that matters.

people count on hand stitching?? I don't - that's just too much pressure. :P

According to a quilt appraiser the stitches on the top are counted. And are you ready for this? 12 stitches to an inch is perfect! And I have seen vintage quilts that had 12 stitches to the inch so it is possible.

Oh Good Lord... 12?? I will stick with my 6 ;-)