BellaBoo

I use 1.5 for piecing using a size 80/12 topstitch needle and 50wt 2 ply or 60wt thread. I use very thin thread cotton or poly. I use the 50wt 3 ply and higher weights for machine quilting.

Shelbie

I use a 3.0 or 3.2 on my Janome 6500. I haven't had a problem with stitches pulling out and I can get them out easily if I have to.

Tartan

I use the Bernina pre-set for my regular piecing unless paper piecing. I shorten the stitch for PP to make removing the paper easier. I do backstitch at the edge of all my block seams. This secures them so the edge doesn't pop a few stitches before the quilt top is sewn together.

caspharm

I use 12-15 on my FW.

cmw0829

Thanks a lot for your replies. Seems as if I'm in good company.

I will try 1.8 (which I think is the Horizon piecing stitch length) and see how I like it - just for kicks.

Thanks again, Cathy

beaniekins

I use somewhere between 2 and 2.5 for regular piecing. My older machine is not more specific than that. For paper piecing I drop it down to about 1.5, roughly.

ewecansew

I use 2.0 for regular piecing and 1.5 for paper piecing. I would think that 3.0 would be closer to basting.

mighty

I use 2.5 most of the time on my viking mega quilter.

QuiltE

I'm with EasyPeezy and use 1.8 on the Janome 6600 as well ... same reasons!
The finer stitching creates a sharper seam, without the shifting you get with the longer stitches.

While the default as mentioned above is 2.2 ..... I changed it to the 1.8.
Also, I changed the needle position of 3.5 default .... to 4.5 as that's where my needle needs to sit for 1/4" seams.

MadQuilter

I usually use the 2.5 default but will cut it down to 2 when the fabric frays a lot. Paper piecing also requires a smaller stitch (or the seam will come apart when the paper gets pulled).

On most instances of seams coming apart, I believe that the problem is not the stitch length but an uneven alignment of the two layers.