When you piece a top together, how many stitches per inch?
When you machine quilt, how many stitches per inch?

It's all a personal preference. I piece between 10 and 12 spi. I'm still working up to the machine quilting:)

For piecing I use 1.8-2.2 stitch length setting. There's a formula to convert that to stitches per inch, which formula I forget. For machine quilting I've been using 2.5 setting. Some of my machines have a stitch made to resemble hand quilting at either 10 or 12 stitches per inch. Just be aware for piecing, that it's hard(er) to pick out the 1.8!

Thanks for asking. I have often wondered but never got around to asking.

Good information....I appreciate it.

This is the same spi that I use for piecing and machine quilting.

2.5 is the default on my Pfaff. It is fine unless it has be subcut after sewing the first seams, then I shorted it to around 2. I machine quilt usually at 12.

I was told it's more than just personal preference, and the number of stitches per inch balances strength and flexibility. Is this not right?

James

2.2 is the default on my Janome. This refers to the stitch length being 2.2mm. There are 25mm in 1 inch. The 2.2 setting is approx 12 stitches per inch. 2.5 setting is 10 stitches per inch.

Yes, you are right. In quilting we seldom back-stitch our seams and we cut the stitches often with rotary cutting techniques, therefore a smaller stitch is necessary so that our seams don't come apart too easily.