What is the ideal stitch length for FMQ ?
 

I have been trying to find out about ideal stitch lengths for machine quilting, being self taught. My quilting book states that for SITD it should be 10-12 stitches per inch. I have my janome set to defualt I think its about 2.2, I measured it and it comes up as 12 stitches to the inch. Is this right or should they be longer.
Most of all, I am wondering how long FMQ stitches should be. I am till at the stage where they are long and too short when I free motion, but I am now starting to hit a sweet spot on the machine now and again!! I know its loads of practice but what size stitches should I be doing?
A friend of mine who is into embroidery and says she knows about quilts tells me theys hould be 1/4" per stich but this seems way too long to me.:confused:
I would love some advice. Am working on quilt number five (am a newbie) and would really like to know what i should be aiming for:)
Thanks again everyone....
Lois

As far as I know, the stitch length (without a stitch regulator) is determined by how fast you move the quilt. I like a sort of smaller stitch, so I move the quilt a bit slower. I'm have been better at it than I am now, I have done lots and lots but, not still perfect. I'm going back to quilting on my Juki TL98QE, the foot pedal is easier to use than my Baby Lock Jane.

To my knowledge there is no standard stitch length. They can be the size you want for the project and what is comfortable for you Some like the smaller stitches. I like a medium about what would be a 3. on the straight stitch.
The important thing is they should be consistent in length. The 1/4" is WAY out of line in my opinion. We each have our preference. But I try to get a bit larger than what the default straight stitch would be.
Remember you control the stitch length and not the machine. A recent recommendation I heard is to set your machine on a slower speed if it has that feature and work to get a balance between the machine speed and the speed of moving your hands. Then, work to get the length you want.

i think that stitch length is somewhat a personal preference. i know that the goal of hand quilters is to get 10-12 spi

the stitch length is not as important as the consistancy of the stitches---meaning as long as all the stitches are the same length they are fine---it does not matter if you have 8-10 stitches to the inch or 12-15---as long as they are the same consistantly across the quilt

For FMQ as you have the feed dogs down. Some machines suggest you set the stitch length to zero and on others it doesn't matter because there is no stitch regulation with the feed dogs down. You can check with your local machine person which is best for your machine.

ali

stitch length for FMQ
 

I would suggest that you look at Leah Days web site on FMQ over the past 7weeks she has run a online FMQ class it is well worth spending time to learn from this talanted young lady

Thanks everyone- I will check out Leah Days website..My friend has never made a quilt, and tells me she has no interest in doing so but knows all about them ...and she is telling me my stitches are way too small, but I thought 1/4" stitches were far too big for machine quilting, so thought I wouold ask you guys..as Iw as starting to doubt myself lol
Thats a good point about setting your own stitch length and you can save your favorite length as well on the Janome I think so I may go just a bit bigger to 11 stitches per inch instead of the 12. I couldnt think how big FMQ stitches should be but guess big enough to get a seam ripper in but not too big to look ugly. Just sort of normal, like the stitch in the ditch ones.

As far as I know a Bernina with a Bernina Stitch Regulator ( BSR) is the only machine that even begins to regulate your stitches.