MarcieStone

I have an older Bernina 1008 with stitch length settings from 0 to 5...what stitch length would you choose for machine quilting? I've always thought that a longer stitch looked more like hand quilting but I've seen recommendations for 2.5 to 3 which, to me, seems a bit short. Any opinions or recommendations welcome!

P.S. I realize that machine quilting will NEVER look like hand quilting!

quiltsRfun

For straight line quilting I use a 3 stitch length and a walking foot.

Tartan

If you are using the feed dogs to straight line quilt, then I make a sample with the batt to see what I like. If you are free motion quilting with the feed dogs down, you are controlling the stitch length with your hands and machine speed.

juliasb

I usually keep my setting at 3 for straight line quilting. It looks great on my machine. Keep in mind every machine is different and it may take some playing around to get the stitches regulated to where you want them.

MarcieStone

Thanks for the responses! I use a walking foot and with my previous machine, I used a 4 with slooooow speed because if I sped it up, the stitch length decreased! It was maddening! This is the first time with the Bernina so I believe I will take the suggestion to test different stitch lengths with a sample of my "sandwich". Thanks, again!

Mkotch

With walking foot quilting, I leave it on the default which, for my Elna, is 2.5. If I deviate from that, I need to change it every time I turn it off/on again - and I forget. I've tried sticking a note on the machine but I also sometimes forget. Better for me just to go with the default.

Jingle

For seams I use 2 for quilting with walking foot 3. I usually just FMQ.