I'm using Hobbs 80/20 and the package says to quilt 3.5 inches. I'm working on a quilt that is 50 x 60 with 10 inch blocks - simple rail fence. I've stitched at 5 inches and if i need to stitch closer I will need to stitch at 2.5 inches to stitch in the ditch. I'm attaching a photo but the lines I drew on it didn't show up - I'm going to try again. You might be able to see the stitching...

Go ahead & stitch in all the seams. I assume you are saying the strips are 2 1/2" wide each. I just stitched on the seam lines when I used this pattern - not across the middle of the 2 1/2" strips.

5 inches is too far apart. I like the 2.5" lines you drew; that should work well for the design.

Edit: On second thought, I like the SID idea better. You can still do it in continuous lines; just pivot at the turns.

On third thought, now I like the grid lines better! Indecisive..... :oops:

I would also SID following all the seam lines adding some meandering or FMQ in the open areas if you felt like you needed more stability but I truly think the SID would be enough if your strips were 2 1/2 inches apart.

I would stitch it just how you are showing in your diagram at every other row, personally I wouldn't stitch in every strip.

Thanks for the help. I decided to go ahead and SID each strip since the quilts are going to children and will hopefully get lots of use. I was being lazy because I have several more quilts to finish before April.