I recently machine quilted for the first time in a long time, and I have forgotten (or maybe never knew) what size stitch to use. After starting with 2.5, I went to 3.5, but now I am thinking I should have used even a larger stitch.

So I am asking for the next time that I machine quilt. I can't seem to find this detail anywhere, so I figured I would just "ask the experts."

Thanks!!

Excellent question. I would like to know, too. I have a baby quilt coming up and this information would be helpful. Thanks for asking.

Are you talking about Free Motion?

I use a walking foot and sew straight sticth at 2.5 and it does great!
But this isn't free motion!!

I set my machine to 2.0 that way the ends of the stitching doesn't come undone. I know some sew with a 3.0, but this is my preference. :D:D:D

I don't know either. I think I use 3 on my one and only that wasn't FMQ, but don't know if that was right .

No, I don't mean free motion. I haven't tried that yet. I was trying for stitch in the ditch and then I was also going diagonally from one corner of the block to the other.

My sister has a long arm quilting machine...I can't recall what kind...and I have used that....with her guidance for my last four quilts. I have only machine quilted a baby quilt before, and sort of went by memory. When I looked at the stitches on the quilts I quilted at my sister's, it looked like a stitch much larger than 3.5.

Now I am wondering if I used too large a stitch when I switched to 3.5? I made that quilt for a charity auction and have already given it away. I can't even go look at it to compare to my other quilts!! I hate to think that the first quilt I made to give away may be inferior. :(

Any more experts who can add to my knowledge??

I'm not an expert and don't do much SID, on the crib quilt I just did for new Great Granddaughter, I used a 2.0 stitch length, I like a small stitch and sew with a smaller stitch than most. When I use to sew clothes I started out using a small stitch, didn't want to mend clothes if the seams came out.

I use about a 3 because I believe you need to lengthen the stitch a bit from the setting for two pieces of fabric to accommodate the batting.

I read somewhere to have the stitch where you are comfortable with, just incase you have to take out the stitches.

i use a 3.0 when stitching in the ditch,or doing a cross hatch on a quilt.

with my machine, i find if i go any smaller..i get puckers, even using a walking foot. course, it could be the foot tension.

I too use 3.0. I find that length keeps the fabric from puckering. I also use the walking foot.

I too use 3.0. I find that length keeps the fabric from puckering. I also use the walking foot.

as with most things 'quilty' it really is a personal choice on the look you want. some people like itty-bitty stitches and quilt with something like 20 stitches to the inch, some think 12 stitches is great and then there are those who like the 'big-stitch' look and quilt at about 4-5 stitches to the inch. make yourself a little 'stitch-sampler' make a 12" block, sandwich it and stitch a line down it at the different settings, marking at the beginning of each line the setting #'s so then you have a reference and you can look at it, decide you want (this -stitch for this project) and you can set your machine consistantly for the look you like best.

Yup! 3.0

Depends on the fabric and batting , for the most part 2.5 or 3.0.

I use 2 or 2.5, don't know why. I just started there and liked the way it looked, so that is what I use.

I like the look of larger stitches, so I always use 4.5 or even 5. I find that this stitch is small enough to hold all layers securely and if you have to rip, it is not impossible to remove. I also find that the Janome walking foot tends to automatically use smaller stitches over thicker areas. Perhaps if I had the thread regulator option, this wouldn't be an issue. Experiment and see what works for you. No one is coming to measure your stitches and complain!

3.0 with the walking foot!

When stitching in the ditch I use a larger stitch size, usually 3.5 or 4. First I make a little sample quilt with some scraps, about 4" x 12", to check out stitch size and also thread color before I begin quilting. I find that the larger stitch doesn't pucker the fabric.

I leave thread tails where I begin stitching and where I end stitching. I later go back and bring front threads to the back, tie the front and back threads together and bury them in the quilt sandwhich. This is a pain in the butt but I do it because I tried beginning and ending with 0 stitch length but it doesn't always look as nice as I would like it to.

My Pfaff has a built in walking foot so that helps a lot.
May in Jersey

While I agree that 3.0 sounds about right, I like the idea of the stitch sampler to get an idea of what the different lengths look like, in case there comes a time to try something different. Thank you all for your very helpful advice!

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.

Alabama!!!! Yea. Alabama is my home: Guntersville

I agree with you. My 2.5 and your 2.5 may not necessarily be the same. Make a sample. Use the setting you like.

If you are talking when using the walking foot, it's a personal choice, what size looks good to you. Sometimes I use 2.0 up to a 3.0. Don't usually go any bigger than that. If you are talking free motion quilting, you are in total control of the stitch size because you dropped the feed dogs, and they are what pull the fabric through and make the stitch size what you have set on your machine. So with free motion and no feed dogs, it's up to your speed of moving the fabric and the speed of the machine. Believe me, it's easier to keep your stitches more regular and looking good if you will sew faster. Always have a practice sandwich made up and let yourself warm up before starting on that special project. I've found that some days I do a good job at quilting and some days it's just better to not do it and go do some other job. I've also read that if you practice about 15 minutes a day you will be suprised how much better the learning curve will be.

I use 2 to sew the seams together, but a 4 for quilting. I try a sample piece first which always comes out exactly like what I want. But when I put the quilt in, my stitches come out smaller. Don't know if I'm using the wrong size needle. But samples come out just fine.

If you don't know how many stitches to the inch that your machine settings represent then start with the largest number and stitch about 2 inches, then count the number of stitches in the 1 inch. I recommend this to all my sewing students with new machines because we should be sewing between 10 and 15 stitches to the inch to get a good seam. I prefer between 12 and 15 for quilting and I use a walking foot with a little bit looser presser foot pressure. All my machines except my Brother Innovis are older and to me easier.

Just remember that larger stitches are easier to get caught on things and snag and break thats why they are easier to remove. I personally prefer 12 to 15 stitches to the inch with a looser tension and less presser foot pressure and a walking foot, but you really do have to do the test strips first because it depends on the fabric, the batting, and YOUR machine.

I use a 2.5. A few months ago in class, I believe they said it's your preference, try a couple on a scrap square. I thought 2 was too small and I could go up to 3, but I didn't like it any more than 3. And yes different machines may be slightly different, so just try a few samples.

So I have a question kinda related to this...I have always been confused about this...but when a pattern says stitch 12 stitches to the inch or 15 stitches to the inch ect., what is our machine set to example is 12 stitches to the inch set at 2.0...most common stitches to the inch is 12 or 15 so what number is set on the machine for these stitches?

I have learned a somewhat different technique (and consequently, I think, a much better look) for machine quilting:

First of all, use a TOPSTITCH NEEDLE. Schmetz labels "Topstitch" right on the cards holding packets of needles. They come in different sizes. I use a 12. The difference is that the topstitch needles have a larger hole which is made to accommodate a bit heavier thread --- it's that heavier thread which also makes the difference. They are also very sharp and penetrate the several layers quite nicely.

The THREAD is often sold as just that, "Topstitch", but technically, it (at least the Coats & Clark that I use) is labeled "HEAVY," but there is no gauge shown. It is similar to hand quilting weight thread but without the stiffness of the glace/wax. It is 100% polyester and as with most threads, comes in gorgeous colors. PLEASE NOTE: IT IS NOT THE "HEAVY" ONE THINKS OF FOR BUTTONHOLES, ETC. --- the buttonhole thread is so labeled. I usually use regular weight thread in the bobbin, but the heavy could be used as well (it just would wind less on the bobbin because of its thickness).

Next, when starting/stopping a line of quilting, I hold back on the fabric so that I get a double or triple stitch in one place which is a good lock without the forward/back overstitch look. The length of stitch I use is pretty close to 10-12 per inch and gives a nice look while still being very secure. (Run a line of stitching on a scrap and count stitches until you find your machine number which yields the correct number per inch. With a walking foot, the stitches should remain about the same, but adjust if needed.)

Summarily: A topstitch needle and heavy thread stitching out at 10-12 stitches per inch.

Hope this helps.

I see you posted a picture of your little quilter with his/her own sewing machine. Love it!