it would also depend on who it is for. Making a quilt for a little quilt. it was going to be just a simple bunch of squares that was made into a giant duvet cover. used between 2 and 3. in less than a year she has torn it up. I am thinking of making one for her that is more of a quilt and less likely to get messed up. I hope that her mom likes it. I now use closer to the 1 on my machine and find that those stitches are really good for me. They don't pull at all. I am new also. I will have been quilting almost a year now.

Thanks for your help. I generally sew with a 2.5 stitch. I just didn't know if there were special considerations that needed to be taken in to account for quilting the top. I see now that there are a few. I love this site because everyone is so understanding and helpful.

2.5 to 3.0 for quilting :D:D:D

I set mine at 3 or 3.5 for straight-line quilting. Free motion depends on your machine. Some get set to zero and others need to be at regular length. Try and see what works for you.

If you are talking regular piecing, then I set mine to 2.5.

If it's stitch in the ditch, you'll want it longer(I set mine at 3) than what you use for piecing, otherwise it'll pucker. If FMQ, you don't set a stitch length. Am looking forward to seeing a pic when completed. Enjoy :)

Thanks again for all of the tips. I am learning so much from all of the generous quilters on this board. I can no longer imagine going it alone as I have for the past few years. I feel as if I have new quilting friends/sisters/brothers now. I have no family sisters and only three of my five family brothers left. My Mom is enjoying this board through me. She loves Ditter's jokes and others funny comments.

That totally depends on the machine. Mine needs to have the stitch length set to 3 or 3.5 to work properly. Go figure!

The length of the stitches on my machine depends on how fast I move my hands, I only do FMQ. When piecing I use 1-1/2 - 2. I did when making clothes years ago, don't want any stitches coming out. I hate mending.

I use anywhere from 2 to 3...depends on what I am sewing..for paper piecing I use smaller stitches

I use anywhere from 2 to 3...depends on what I am sewing..for paper piecing I use smaller stitches