start stitching with a 1.0 stitch (small ones) and then change to 2.2 or 2.4 and end with small stitches again. then clip threads front and back.
here are a few tips
http://www.debbiemumm.com/Projects/Q...irections.aspx
http://www.generations-quilt-pattern...ine-quilt.html
http://www.ideas-for-quilting.com/si...equilting.html