Great posts-and since I am MOSTLY a hand quilter (for 10 years) I still feel like I need improvement. I get around 7-8 stitches per inch, but they are pretty consistant. I actually LIKE the way it looks-you can tell it is hand-quilted and the stitches are part of the whole design of the quilts in most cases. I try to use a thread that will show a bit, instead of melting into the background. BTW, the usual term used for putting several stitches on the needle before pulling the thread through is "stacking", the process of putting the needle thru the fabric top and angling back and forth to catch the underneath stitch before coming back up is "rocking". At least, that is how I learned it. I usually "stack" 3-4 stitches on the needle and then pull them all through. I use a size 10 between needle, and a hoop, with the quilt sandwich loose.