I have only just started because I'm making the murder mystery quilt, I'm using 2 -2.5 so that the seams don't open too easily. 1/4" seams because I have the foot of that width and it is marked at the end too,so I can turn at the right place. So far it is working! The instructions for the applique say use stitch length of 1.5 to 2.5 stitches per inch, which I'm pretty sure is not what she meant.