I have 5 crafters, all of them at the same lvl, near to 30 lvl.

I crafted a lot of HQ items, my formula is

1) all my ingredients are HQ (whenever is possible)

2) My sequence for 40/40

Inner Quiet (very important)
Tricks Of The Trade (if I can)
Great Strides
Steady Hand
Standard Touch -> 100% chance, 250% eff +HQ
Great Strides
Standard Touch -> 100% chance, 250% eff +HQ
Great Strides
Standard Touch -> 100% chance, 250% eff +HQ
Steady Hand + Basic Synthesis or Careful Synthesis

I made all my gear, everything HQ with materias

If I try to make a difficult item I use Observe or Basic Synthesis (with 60/70 items) in order to obtain Good or Excellent condition after Great Strides.

3) Depending on what I want to do, I have HQ Food to improve CP, Control or Crafting.


Great Strides is better than manipulation or Master's Mend because grants you free extra touches ( 6 touchs in 30 durability)