diff --git a/lib/elements/fill_stitch.py b/lib/elements/fill_stitch.py
index 00a88d54a..980103a45 100644
--- a/lib/elements/fill_stitch.py
+++ b/lib/elements/fill_stitch.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import re
 import sys
 import traceback
 
+import numpy as np
 from inkex import Transform
 from shapely import geometry as shgeo
 from shapely.errors import TopologicalError
@@ -182,7 +183,7 @@ class FillStitch(EmbroideryElement):
     @param('meander_pattern', _('Meander Pattern'), type='combo', default=0,
            options=sorted(tiles.all_tiles()), select_items=[('fill_method', 'meander_fill')], sort_index=3)
     def meander_pattern(self):
-        return self.get_param('meander_pattern', None)
+        return self.get_param('meander_pattern', min(tiles.all_tiles()).id)
 
     @property
     @param('meander_scale_percent',
@@ -192,7 +193,7 @@ class FillStitch(EmbroideryElement):
            select_items=[('fill_method', 'meander_fill')],
            sort_index=4)
     def meander_scale(self):
-        return self.get_split_float_param('meander_scale_percent', (100, 100)) / 100
+        return np.maximum(self.get_split_float_param('meander_scale_percent', (100, 100)), (1, 1)) / 100
 
     @property
     @param('angle',
diff --git a/lib/extensions/params.py b/lib/extensions/params.py
index 6c0f12c56..802086d8d 100644
--- a/lib/extensions/params.py
+++ b/lib/extensions/params.py
@@ -149,11 +149,11 @@ class ParamsTab(ScrolledPanel):
     def update_combo_state(self, event=None):
         self.update_choice_state(event, True)
 
-    def get_combo_value_index(self, param, options):
+    def get_combo_value_index(self, param, options, default):
         for option in options:
             if option.id == param:
                 return options.index(option)
-        return 0
+        return default
 
     def pair_changed(self, value):
         new_value = not value
@@ -407,8 +407,7 @@ class ParamsTab(ScrolledPanel):
                     input.Append(option.name, image, option)
                 if not param.options:
                     input.Append(_('No options available'), ParamOption('not_available'))
-
-                value = self.get_combo_value_index(param.values[0], param.options)
+                value = self.get_combo_value_index(param.values[0], param.options, param.default or 0)
                 input.SetSelection(value)
                 input.Bind(wx.EVT_COMBOBOX, self.changed)
                 input.Bind(wx.EVT_COMBOBOX, self.update_combo_state)
diff --git a/lib/stitches/meander_fill.py b/lib/stitches/meander_fill.py
index 964a7a417..6043b4bcd 100644
--- a/lib/stitches/meander_fill.py
+++ b/lib/stitches/meander_fill.py
@@ -66,7 +66,9 @@ def find_starting_and_ending_nodes(graph, shape, starting_point, ending_point):
     starting_point = Point(starting_point)
 
     if ending_point is None:
-        ending_point = starting_point
+        # pick a spot on the opposite side of the shape
+        projection = (shape.exterior.project(starting_point, normalized=True) + 0.5) % 1.0
+        ending_point = shape.exterior.interpolate(projection, normalized=True)
     else:
         ending_point = Point(ending_point)
 
diff --git a/lib/tiles.py b/lib/tiles.py
index 686d5a6df..1b418905c 100644
--- a/lib/tiles.py
+++ b/lib/tiles.py
@@ -100,10 +100,10 @@ class Tile:
 
         return center, width, height
 
-    def _translate_tile(self, shift):
+    def _translate_tile(self, tile, shift):
         translated_tile = []
 
-        for start, end in self.tile:
+        for start, end in tile:
             start += shift
             end += shift
             translated_tile.append((start.as_int().as_tuple(), end.as_int().as_tuple()))
@@ -111,15 +111,16 @@ class Tile:
         return translated_tile
 
     def _scale(self, x_scale, y_scale):
-        self.shift0 = self.shift0.scale(x_scale, y_scale)
-        self.shift1 = self.shift1.scale(x_scale, y_scale)
+        scaled_shift0 = self.shift0.scale(x_scale, y_scale)
+        scaled_shift1 = self.shift1.scale(x_scale, y_scale)
 
         scaled_tile = []
         for start, end in self.tile:
             start = start.scale(x_scale, y_scale)
             end = end.scale(x_scale, y_scale)
             scaled_tile.append((start, end))
-        self.tile = scaled_tile
+
+        return scaled_shift0, scaled_shift1, scaled_tile
 
     @debug.time
     def to_graph(self, shape, scale):
@@ -132,25 +133,25 @@ class Tile:
         """
         self._load()
         x_scale, y_scale = scale
-        self._scale(x_scale, y_scale)
+        shift0, shift1, tile = self._scale(x_scale, y_scale)
 
         shape_center, shape_width, shape_height = self._get_center_and_dimensions(shape)
         shape_diagonal = Point(shape_width, shape_height).length()
         prepared_shape = prep(shape)
 
-        return self._generate_graph(prepared_shape, shape_center, shape_diagonal)
+        return self._generate_graph(prepared_shape, shape_center, shape_diagonal, shift0, shift1, tile)
 
-    def _generate_graph(self, shape, shape_center, shape_diagonal):
+    def _generate_graph(self, shape, shape_center, shape_diagonal, shift0, shift1, tile):
         graph = nx.Graph()
-        tiles0 = ceil(shape_diagonal / self.shift0.length()) + 2
-        tiles1 = ceil(shape_diagonal / self.shift1.length()) + 2
+        tiles0 = ceil(shape_diagonal / shift0.length()) + 2
+        tiles1 = ceil(shape_diagonal / shift1.length()) + 2
         for repeat0 in range(floor(-tiles0 / 2), ceil(tiles0 / 2)):
             for repeat1 in range(floor(-tiles1 / 2), ceil(tiles1 / 2)):
                 check_stop_flag()
 
-                shift0 = repeat0 * self.shift0
-                shift1 = repeat1 * self.shift1
-                this_tile = self._translate_tile(shift0 + shift1 + shape_center)
+                offset0 = repeat0 * shift0
+                offset1 = repeat1 * shift1
+                this_tile = self._translate_tile(tile, offset0 + offset1 + shape_center)
                 for line in this_tile:
                     line_string = LineString(line)
                     if shape.contains(line_string):