Hmmm... normally it depends on how fast I move the fabric for free motion. If I use my walking foot I set it to 3.0 or 3.5 for hatching. If you mean piecing I like 2.2 but I might set it slightly larger but not more then 2.8 for piecing. I set it larger just incase I need to take it out. 2.2 is just too small for me to take it out.