I am still just a beginner and have mostly only quilted smaller projects such as baby quilts, I stitch in the ditch, which to me means stitching down the seam lines. So mainly I stitch straight through the center most lines and work my way out to the edge. Depending on the pattern, I like the end result which is often a very pleasing pattern of stitching on the back of the quilt. Sometimes, if I think it needs more stitching, I will echo ( I think that is the term) quilt squares, using one inch painters tape in order to keep the lines straight. I assume how much quilting depends on the batting one is using. I still have much to learn, but thought this gave me an opportunity to participate in this form.