Are you looking for Christmas or Hanukkah gift ideas??
Winter projects?
A brand new free motion (long arm) motif to try?
Are you interested in Improv piecing?
Just looking for inspiration?
You’re in luck–because the November issue of American Quilter (featuring a free motion quilt column by Yours Truly) is on newsstands now!
Even better–YOU can WIN a copy today–four lucky winners will receive a signed copy of American Quilter. Â
TO WIN:
Answer this question:  What sewing machine do YOU use for YOUR free motion, long arm, or mid arm quilting?  Make and model….Also, does your machine allow you to drop the feed dogs?  (I’m wondering if I need to do a tutorial on FMQ when you can’t drop your feed dogs…)
Please leave your answer in the comment section. Â Four winners (US and Canada only) will be announced on Monday…
Good luck!
Lori
PS…All images, information and tutorials are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only.  Feel free to share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt.  For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com.  Thanks!
396 comments
Karen H.
I use two machines, One is a singer SEQS6000 and Pfaff 3400. I can drop the feed dogs on both of them. Thank you so much for the giveaway!
Susan Dorward
Just discovered you! Bernina, 440, use BSR
Sandra
Hi, I use my Janome Horizon ? Craft 15,000 (that 1 word I just can’t recall-it’s their embroidery machine) & I can drop feed dogs. I’m longtime reader of all things quilting but need to translate interest to more ‘doing’- I really love the quilting examples I’ve seen on your site & want MORE! Thanks!
Join Olinger
I have Bernina 630 and just upgraded to the 880e. Feed dogs drop on both and I have BSR to aid in my free motion. Love your blog! I tell free mention enthusiast about it all the time. Thanks for this blog.
jibberishdesigns
I do all my quilting on my Janome 6600 which allows me to drop my feed dogs. I really appreciate your tutorials that can be done on a home machine!
ROBIN, HUNTSVILLE TX
Hi! I use an older Handiquilter 16 (mid arm) and the feed dogs do not drop. I haven’t had much luck FMQ on my Bernina 8 series machine.
Robin
I use my Bernina 750 QE, and the feed dogs do drop.
Denise
I do my FMQ on a Brother PC420. Yes the feed dogs drop.
Donna
I do all of my quilting with my Brother SC9500 sewing and quilting machine. The feed dogs drop.
Julie S.
I use a Bernina 830. I can drop the feed dogs.
Laura Locklear
My machine is a Janome 9000. I can drop my feed dogs. I am only just beginning to experiment with it in free motion. I can’t wait until I’m half as good as you.
knitnkwilt
I do my FMQ (and all my sewing currently) on a Singer Featherweight 221. It doesn’t drop the feed dogs.
kattail....Kathy in WV
I normally use a Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 830 but it’s on the fritz…so I’ve been fmq’ing with my trusting little 20 year old Bernina 1080 special….the feed dogs drop on both of them.
Debbie
I sew on a Babylock Ellisimo and a Babylock symphony . Both machines drop the feed dogs easily.
Thanks for a great blog !
Joellyn Partyka
I use a Janome 6600 for my free motion quilting most of the time which does allow the feed dogs to be dropped. I also have a used Handiquilter 16 which I’m trying to learn how to use. I ‘m still trying to learn to use it for detail micro quilting.
Moki
I have a Bernina 880 and a 430. I have a BSR foot for both machines and both machine have feed dogs that drop. I use both machines to free motion quilt, sometimes I use the BSR foot and sometimes I don’t.
Laurel
I use my Bernina 1630 home sewing machine, which has feed dogs that can be dropped. As much as I love “Bernie” I am shopping for a new machine with a larger throat. I’m tending toward a Bernina because my last 3 machines have been that brand, but don’t know if I should get a 700 series or 800 series model. Also, I’m trying to decide on a machine with embroidery model or without, because my Bernina 180E is going on 14 years old (and she’s my youngest machine!).
Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of a great magazine!
Diane McLauchlan
My go to machine for everything is my Janome 6600. Yes the feed dogs drop.
Holly Ann W.
I have the Bernina Anniversary Edition which is somewhere between the 435 and 450 because they included the 9mm stitch width and a few other popular features for this special offering. Yes, the feed dogs can be lowered.
Bernie Hulka
I use my HQ Avante and also my Janome 15000 to quilt.
Gail
When I free motion quilt, I use my 1970s Kenmore, with the dogs down. Does a good job of quilting, but it is the only machine I have ever used as an adult.
Nicole
I use my Husquavarna 2000, circa mid-1960’s. (I am circa mid-1970’s for the record). I can drop the dogs but don’t. The biggest quilt I’ve quilted on it was a 98″x98″ quilt made with 2.5″ squares and I did a non-denominational rainbow pattern (baptist fan). Thanks!
cdahlgren2013
I use two machines, my husbands old White sewing machine, with feed dogs that don’t drop, but I can quilt larger quilts on it. The other machine I sew on is a Brother Innovis Quilt Club machine. The feed dogs drop, but the throat space isn’t huge, and I’ve only had it a bit and have only quilted a small tablerunner on it. cdahlgren at live dot com
Jennifer Leean
I sew with a Bernina 830 and the feed dogs automatically drop. I Love It!
Debra Manggaard
I have a Babylock Esante and I love it for free-motion quilting. The stitches are even and tidy. It does have the ability to drop the feed dogs, which I do. Before the Esante I was using a Kenmore 19001 and my work didn’t look as neat as I wanted it to.
Elaine Morgan
I use my Viking Sapphire 960Q and the feed dogs drop automatically!
Helen
Hi, I have and use my Husqvarna Designer 1 and the feed dogs do drop. I have to congratulate you on your article in the Quilting magazine. You are so smart, I cannot wait to see your posts as there is always something great to try and learn. You make it look so easy, Thanks.
The Lisa Marie
I use a Bernina 153 Quilter’s Edition for free motion quilting. I am able to drop my feed dogs, and I used to do so. However, I’ve found that I get better results (fewer tension issues) if I don’t drop them but, instead, set the stitch length to zero.
I love your blog! I’ve learned a bunch here.
Carol in SD
I do my piecing on a Janome Quilter’s Companion (Memory Craft 4800), my binding on a Brother NX400 and keep the walking foot on all the time as it’s recessed in a cabinet, and my FM quilting on a Handi Quilter Sweet 16 and do not have a stitch regulator. The HQ opened up many more opportunities for quilting with the great LED lighting and the 16″ throat. My Featherweight watches from a short distance away. I previously did FM on my Brother with the feed dogs down. I would be amazed and grateful to win the magazine! The learning is never over; love your quilting and tutorials to the max! Greetings to all the other obsessed quilters in the world!
Ness
Carol, where are you if you don’t mind me asking…I’m right on the SD border but Wy side in the Black Hills. Also have a couple featherweights. Swedie@tampanay.RR.com.
Ness
Oops..tampabay.rr.com
Mary Ellen
I do all my sewing and Quilting on my Kenmore .Model 385-19233.And my feed dogs will drop.
Chris Teague
I use a Tin Lizzie Eighteen. Before that, I met with varying success on a Singer student with a feed-dog cover plate (grrrrrr) or a walking foot.
lcarolyn
Good afternoon! I sew/quilt/free motion quilt/ and embroider on my Viking Diamond! And the feed dogs go down for free motion and the dogs are up for straight line quilting… Love!
happypathbookclub
I FMQ using my Babylock Jane with the feed dogs down. Love it!
Julie Hale
2 machines: domestic Janome Memory Craft 6600 that drops the feed dogs. Recently got a Handiquilter Sweet Sixteen. 🙂
Ceil
I use a Singer, Model 7412 for my free motion quilting, I can drop the feed dogs when necessary.
Rita Rilene
I use my Janome Horizon 7700 for FMQ. I love the big harp space!
Nancy Manion
I free motion quilt on a Tin Lizzie Eighteen. Before Tin Lizzie I used my Pfaff 1475 with the feed dogs dropped.
Carly
I use an Innova 26 longarm
Christine
I use my Bernina 440 for most of my free motion quilting. I drop the feed dogs. I rarely use the stitch regulator as I enjoy the flow of FMQ. I also use a HQ 16 occasionally. Love your blog, Lori. Thanks for the inspiration!
Janet Tucker
I use an HQ Avante as well as my old domestic, Husquevarna Lily. Thanks for your inspiration!
Marta
My 2 machines are a 3 yr old Viking Emerald 183 and a Brother which is a few years old. I am out of state now and don’t remember its number LOL.The feed dogs drop on each. I use a darning foot on the Emerald..has a little donut thing at the point of fabric contact.The Brother is light weight enough to take to class and for “sew together” days. By the way, the Brother was an unexpected gift and has been a lifesaver while the Emerald was in the shop..Thank you for the Giveaway event.( I also have my Grandmother’s 1912 treadle Singer which works but I haven’t tried FMQ on it..yet? 🙂
Karen Currie
I piece and am learning to machine quilt (using your tutorials) on a very simple little White sewing machine, model 1477, but I can drop the feed dogs on it.
rosemarazzle
Rosemary B here:
Karen, this is a very good machine. I have one. (I have many machines but don’t tell any one okay?) This is a tough machine. You can depend on it. Keep it oiled and grease the gears. I use mine for fmq too. the motor does not get hot!! Trusty White machine!
Debi
I have a Nolting Fun Quilter on a frame that I do most of my quilting on. I also have a Janome 8900 which I have done both straight line quilting leaving feed dogs up, and free motion quilting, dropping the feed dogs.
Pam Arbour
First, congratulations on getting your work published in the magazine. I love your tutorials.
I have a Brother Innovis QC1000 which drops the feed dogs. I used that for FMQ on all size quilts for several years until I bought my Innova sit-down model long arm. I have quilted about 9 quilts on it so far and I am increasing my skills every time I sew. There is definitely a learning curve going from a domestic machine to a long arm even though the process is the same. You just have to get to know the machine and that is true for the domestic machines as well.
Pam
Paula K.
My machine is a Janome 6500 which allows me to drop the feed dogs. I love your work and creative ideas. Sincerely, Paula K.
Stoney Monte
Bernina 710 with stitch regulator.
Bought it a year ago and it changed my life.
Spent yesterday FMQ a charity quilt using your Square Flower motif.
Thanks so much for sharing all the inspiration……
WordPress.com Support
The Square Flower always works well it seems!
Becky
I use Janome 6600 for FMQ but I don’t drop the feed dogs. I find it does better if I leave the feed dogs engaged & reduce the stitch length to 0.
Lynne
I have a janome 11000. It drops it’s own feed dogs. I have recently purchased a handi quilter sweet 16 for free motion quilting. Love it. Love your Facebook site with tips etc
Sara
I FMQ on a APQS Liberty machine. I still make ovals and starfish, but I am trying to improve. 🙂 Love your blog, thanks for all of your tips and tutorial. I also want to say that I appreciate Silent Sunday. Brilliant.
Bonnie. Reed
Hi Lori,
I do my FMQ on a brother ult 2003D pacesetter embroidery machine. And yes the feed dogs drop. this might be very helpful to pass along to your handicap readers. I like this machine because I can unhook the foot pedal, and push a button by hand and it will begin sewing. I have MS and I am in a wheelchair and my legs and feet don’t work anymore. Usually it’s not a problem because I can take my hand and push on the pedal of other sewing machines. But for FMQ we need both hands on the quilt, so that particular machine is a lifesaver for me!
WordPress.com Support
Bonnie thanks for that excellent tip! Glad to hear you have found a way to keep stitching!
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