I don't beleive I've ever read just exactly what stitch length is recommended for 'free motion quilting'. Can anyone tell me?
I love the idea, but can't seem to get it right.

I was taught to set it to 0 :D:D:D

Thank you, I will defintely try that setting. How about tension?

The stitch length is determined by you and not the machine. With feed dogs dropped and disengaged, the machine cannot make a stitch. The length is controled by how fast you move the fabric and how fast or slow the speed of the machine. You need to practice until you find your personal balance between the two to produce an even stitch.

I find if you set the length for a longer stitch, say 5, you need to FMQ quicker than you do if you set it to a shorter stitch, say 3. If you find little loops on the back of your project, you are not keeping up with your stitch length so you need to practice to see which length you are the most comfortable with and will give you a balanced stitch on the back.

If the feed dogs are down, like they're supposed to be for FMQ, does it matter what stitch length you have it set on? Isn't it the feed dogs that make or control the stitch length?

stitch length is determined by how fast/slow you are moving when freemotion quilting. it does not matter where you have the machine set, you have to coordinate your speed with the machine speed to reach the size you want...consistancy (all the stitches even) is more important than the size of the stitch....yo don't want tiny (16 to the inch) in some areas and (4 to the inch) in other areas.

I agree that the length should be set at zero...for those who haven't tried it, believe me, it makes a difference.

With my feed dogs down,the setting on the stitch length doesnt matter, it is dis engaged.Im confused,how is it free motion if your feed dogs are in play?

I always drop my feeddogs before i free motion quilt.If you can't drop them you cover them with something.