I set my stitch to 3.0 for machine quilting. For FMQ, it doesn't matter, as I am the one moving the fabric.

2.0 to 2.6. BUT, I haven't taken the time to figure out how many stitches per inch that is. Eleanor Burns always says "15 stitches to the inch"....so.....what setting IS that?

If you are thinking of quilting in the ditch (which I hate to do), and your machine has different stitches, use a serpentine stitch and that way you don't have to stay strictly in the ditch because the stitches move from side to side of the ditch.

I use a 3 or 3.5 for SID work although sometimes I forget to change the settings and then I wonder why the darn thing isn't moving.

i have done that before too..used a fancy stitch on a baby quilt..it turns out nice.

I usually start with a 1.0 backstitch for about 10-12 stitches, then sew over that with the 3 or 3.5. End the same way with a 1.0 backstitch.

This summer I transcribed for a judge at a local fair and I asked her what the stitching for quilting should be, she said with a longarm she likes to see them about a 10 and a regular machine 2.5
I have been curious about this also, do different quilt judges do differently?

yup, something larger than your seam stitch. I even use that length to sew on my bindings - don't want puckers.

I use 2.5 stitch length and it works for me.

The size stitch I use depends on the batting I use and which sewing machine I use. Regardless of what they say, there is a difference because of preset thread tension. I always do a sample of the type of stitch I want...and check both on front and back of the sample to see which one I like the look of best. It usually ends up between 2.5 and 3.