If you use the recommended 28 count Irish Linen fabric, 1/4 stitches should be easy. I remember Bermuda saying she uses 28 count fabric because it's a lot easier to do 1/4 stitches on 28 count than on14 count aida. I'm planning to stitch a fishing Santa on 28 count fabric in the near future for practice.
As far as backstitching goes, I like to do it because it makes the different colors used "stand out".
Diana