I baste on my machine in a 4 inch grid with water solvable thread on top,regular thread in the bobbin. I lap quilt without a hoop. If I use a hoop...I stitch 10 stitches to an inch( also using a spoon). Without a hoop..I do 8 stitches to the inch. I’m not a show quilter,so 8 stitches are fine with me.