I love my walking foot and use it most of the time. I don't have a standard stitch length for SITD but it is usually somewhere around 8/inch.

beverly

It depends on the finished effect you want, which depends on the size and type of thread used. Heavier thread and larger stitches will emphasize the outline while lightweight thread and smaller stitches will more likely visually "disappear". Transparent monofilament is popular because it 'disappears' best -- and it also doesn't visually shriek if the stitches aren't always quite in the ditch. Practice on a working scrap (same materials as the finished quilt but in a 12" square) so that you can see the different effects. Do use a quilting needle in the machine and remember to check that top and bottom threads are balanced... quilting is different from piecing and one usually has to tighten or loosen the tension.

I usually use approximately 12 to the inch when I want the blocks to be outlined but not emphasized.