I prefer to stitch about a 1/4" away from the seams. I like that look better.

I use a stitch-in-the-ditch foot for this. It has helped me keep it in the ditch much better.

I've found that walking feet that have a hook that goes *around* the needle screw work better than walking feet that have an arm that sits on top on the needle screw. The ones that sit on top tend to get stuck up and then I get puckers unless I keep them super well oiled