To Dunster:

She changed FROM a shorter stitch TO a longer stitch.

I am like Sewnoma... I have never changed mine from default so I don't know what it is. I think I will check this evening

Ah, I misunderstood. So her stitches are more relaxed, no longer causing the fabric to draw in. Thanks for the clarification.

The pressure on the foot has a lot to do with the drawing of the fabric too. I was told by several machine techs that sewing with the most pressure would be more accurate. So far it has on all my machines. The vintage machines had much more pressure then the new machines do now.

I have used 1.8 with no problems on my brother so wondering why it would affect accuracy on your machine.

Gosh, I could swear that the default for piecing on my Janome 15000 is 1.8.

I sew on a Bernina and a Pfaff and I always use 2.0. I think that 15 years ago that was the standard on most of the computerized machines (their default). I have noticed with my newer machines that they default to 2.5 which I think is a little large (just my opinion). I think everyone needs to test and see what works for them, but don't just automatically think that machines (even those labeled Quilting Editions) are set up for quilters. I believe that most machines are set to dressmaking standards.

i have sewed all my life ..in order of learning ...on grammas treadle, her fw and then a necchi i bought in early 80’s. that one died of old age and years of hard heavy use. i bought a used pfaff...and all of a sudden i am understanding all these references to "set at 1.2" etc. i have always just played w stitch length til i got about 11 or 12 stitches to the inch. still do even on my janome 1600 PQ & the pfaff. and when i help friends do a little stitch removing at our quilt group meets, i now understand why their stitches are tiny short little things that pucker their fabric and can't be removed w/o running risk of tearing the fabric. this was an interesting thread, suesew, thanks for starting it. i have learned much!

I use a3 or a hair over on my Bernina. If not, I can't see the stitches to pick them out if I goof up

I have that machine as well and don't have problems with accuracy. The button also positions the needle to align with the 1/4" foot along with setting the stitch length. I admit however when I use another machine which has no preset options I have the stitch set larger/longer. I've never had seams fall apart because of the stitch length I've used.