There are no (Rules) as for number of stitches, or how you stitch. The ( professional hand quilters) may get 12-14 stitches per inch ( or smaller) but generally it is more important to strive for consistent, even stitches. Work to get your stitches the same size, top & bottom, with the same distance between stitches. With time & lots of practice your stitching will be smaller ( if that's what you strive to accomplish.) But the even consistency is more important than stitch length.