Stitch length- 2 or 1.8, be consistent with that 1/4" seam allowance. I personally think that if the quilting is too sparse, it causes stress on those 1/4" seams, so as I was instructed, a long time ago, no more than a fist of open space between quilting lines.....Recommend washing on gentle cycle and also delicate dry.....how often are these quilts washed? Just my personal thoughts on this subject.