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
Jennifer
I use my 18 year old Janome Memory Craft 5000. I love her.
Shirley Rutledge
Thank you for all your wonderful ideas. I use an Innova longarm.
jean whiteaker
Preferred machine for large quilts, HandiQuilter Fusion — no feed dogs! For smaller projects, Viking D1 – and yes, the feed dogs drop – use for thread art or smaller quilt projects. Love both machines! Can’t wait to see the article!
Carol Stearns
I have a Viking Sapphire 875. I avoid FMQ at every turn. I did, however, take a Craftsy class from Leah Day where she teaches not to lower your feed dogs. I found this to be more effective for me as I have more control. Of course, practice would be advantageous. I also took quilting with your walking foot from Jackie Gerhrig and I loved that class.
Marjorie
thanks for this chance…I use my Baby Lock Tiara…sit down long arm machine. works like a charm. I used to FMQ on my Baby Lock Tempo
eadaoine
Elna SU with no ability to drop feed dogs (about 50 yrs old). I use a generic freemotion foot modified a la Leah Day. Works for me.
kaholly
What a wonderful issue!! Definitely a must have. I am using a Janome Horizon 8200, and yes, I can lower my feed dogs.
Dianne Watchorn
For smaller pieces, I use a Baby Lock Espire and for larger work an 18″ Innova with Lightening Stitch
Meg
DH got me a Bernina 550QE for Christmas last year and I love it!
Nikki Aoki
I use a Bernina 750 and yes it allows me to drop the feed dogs 😉
Cathy Killiany
I have the Nolting Fun Quilter long arm, 17″. It is a workhorse and very user friendly.
Jo Stovall
Lori, I only have a Kenmore ~ can’t do anything with the feed dogs and I don’t have a walking foot. May just get me a new sewing machine because I would like to machine quilt my own quilts instead of having them quilted or handquilting them myself. Right now I am tacking a couple to them. I also want two needles so I can straddle the ditch!
Robi Witulski
I have a Nolting Funquilter on a 12′ frame LA (so no feed dogs) and Pfaff QE 4.0 I use for smallerl projects (can easily drop the feed dogs).
susan718
I have a Pfaff Ambition 1.0. Yes, I can drop the feed dogs. Thanks so much for the great giveaway!
Kate
I fmq on a Pfaff Quilt Expressions 4.0 purchased new about four years ago. It has a nice big, about 11 inches, open area that helps when manipulating large projects, although I could still use twice that space. The feed dogs drop with a simple toggle switch. It came with two different quilting feet. One is a spring foot but I prefer the other. I find the hopping distracting. Maybe I haven’t given it enough of a try. I wonder what others think of the hopping fmq foot. It’s a great machine, however the updated 4.2 has far superior built in lighting.
Linda nichols
Babylock Elegante. Yes 🙂
Betsy
Lori I have two Bernina sand I can free motion on both. I use the bsr sometimes. They are the 440 and the new 780
azuliverdepatchworkandquilting
Mine is a Brother XR9500PRW and I’m just starting to free motion quilting. And yes, it allows me to put the feed dog down.
Thanks for the chance to win. Cheers!
proudspirit57
Hi Lori..by the way you have a wonderful blog! Yes I use a Janome 6500 domestic machine and I can drop the feed dogs which I do. But lately I have been reading it is not necessary but have not tried it. I do have a perrywinkle mid arm and have had one for almost a year but have not used it….it is a generic sweet sixteen..lol I just like my domestic machine I guess.
I would be interested in a tut on not dropping your feed dogs though. Thanks for all the info and such a wonderful blog. I read all the time but as I am a caregiver have not had lots of time for posting but I do read…Have a great day!
Diane Dashevsky
I use a Husqvarna-Viking Mega Quilter on a Gracie frame…but more often, my Brother Innov 1000 (Quilt Club model). Usually FMQ with feed dogs down, but have also practiced FMQ with the feed dogs up. I prefer the dogs down since I don’t have a Slider.
Rochelle Marouski
I free motion on my Brother 1250D when I am in FL and on my old PFAFF1475D when I am back in CT. Both machines free motion easily. Just drop the feed dogs.
I am still teaching myself but have done a full size quilt on the Pfaff. Your tutorials are an inspiration to branch out and try to do more with what I have to work with! Thanks!
Cheryl in PA
I fmq on my Baby Lock Medley! I have fit a 120″ square quilt in the arm and still was able to sew! Whew! I am tempted to purchase the new Baby Lock Aria, which has a throat size of over 11″. It’s a dual feed machine, which intriques me. I can drop my feed dogs. Thanks for the magazine offer!
Gloria Isom
I am using a 1999 Gammill I purchased earlier this year & I’m constantly looking for inspiration .
Previously I used my older Viking designer I & yes the feed dogs dropped when quilting…
You learn to work with what you have.
Thanks for your sight…it helps a lot!
LeAnn
I FMQ on my Husquvarna Designer SE which has a setting that allows me to drop the feed dogs. Loving your site and inspiration!
Diana Knight
I do my FMQ-ing on a Pfaff 2044 with the feed-dogs down, most of the time. Although, sometimes it works better to leave the feed dogs up.
I started out FMQ-ing on a basic Kenmore machine. By disengaging the presser foot pressure, I could FMQ very well, even with the feed dogs in their always up position.
Corrine Reedy
Bernina 200 with stitch regulator. Yes I can drop feed dogs.
Kat Campau
I use a Janome 8900. It has a10+1/2″ throat, and the feed dogs drop. It’s my second Janome, and it works great.
Judy
My free motion is done on a Viking Mega-Quilter. It has a cover plate for the feed dogs instead of dropping them. I have been very happy with it. I’m happy to know that your talent has been recognized.
Peggy Carstens
I now use a Handi Quilter Sweet 16, but before that I used my Pfaff Expression 150 and it does let you lower the feed dogs.
Laura Williams
I bought a Babylock Crown Jewel on a 10′ frame this year. I love it – no bells or whistles, just a good solid machine and frame. Can’t wait to read your article in this month’s magazine.
mswiss
Janome Horizon and she never lets me down!!! I do drop the feed dogs.
Dorian
I use an early 1900’s Singer 201.2. I can’t drop the feed dogs, and do fmqing just fine 🙂 Thanks for a fun giveaway.
Allison Evrard
I’ve been using a Baby Lock Tempo for my fmq but I’ve recently purchased a Brother DreamCreator XE VM5100 which has a larger throat. So I’m anxious to give that a try. The Tempo allows me to drop the feed dogs, but for some reason my fmq is better if I don’t. The Brother automatically drops them when I put on the fmq foot.
iquilt4ever
I have an APQS Ultimate II longarm, but it does not allow me to drop the feed dogs. I have had the machine 16 years.
Barb N
I use a Viking 550 – it’s 20 years old and works great – for small projects, and I also have a Gammill Vision 26. It works great, too! Congrats on your featured articles – I saw one once while browsing the newsstand at Barnes & Noble.
Peggy Aare
Hi Lori,
I use a Brother NX400 that I bought used a couple years ago. (What I was looking for was the feature that leaves your needle up, or down, when you take your foot off the gas.) Yes, the feed dogs drop out of use with a toggle switch at the rear. I have also used it with the feed dogs in the normal working position but a stitch length of zero so the fabric doesn’t feed forward. Either way works for me. I am working right now on a queen sized quilt that I’m building a section at a time as I get a portion free-motion quilted.
See my progress on my posting at http://wisconsinquilting.wordpress.com/2014/10/24/free-motion-queen-sized-quilt-practice-on-a-standard-domestic-machine/
Kathy O.
I use the Gammill Vision 26/10 longarm. And I completely admire all of you who use your domestic machines for machine quilting! I draw inspiration from you, Miss Lori! Thanks for the chance to win the magazine with your designs!
Jill
I am teaching myself to FMQ on my Bernina 350pe….I am gaining confidence and finding that everyone is correct when they say ” practice practice practice”! 😉 thank you for taking so much time with your blog-I feel like I have a private instructor!
Bunny
Hi, I have a Husqvarna SE and it allows me to drop feed dogs. I also have a Janome 1600P and it comes with a plate that fits over the feed dogs. This machine is great machine for free motion. It is a very sturdy heavy machine. I do use both for free motion. I tend to use the Janome for bigger pieces.
sarava425
I use a Brother CS6000i for quilting. Yes, the feeddogs drop.
Suzanne Beech
I use a Brother SQ9185….computerized quilting machine. I love it! You can drop the feed dogs. Got it at Walmart at a great price. It is a good beginners or intermediate quilting/sewing machine. Just learning to FMQ so the magazine would be very handy for me! Thanks!
Bernadine Hulka
I have a HandiQuilter Avante and love it. Have just finished another project yesterday.
sherrye55
I have a Juki TL98q and it does drop the feed dogs. Just starting to learn FMQ so I’m loving your blog!!!
amq97
Congrats on your article! Started FM quilting charity quilts on a New Home 108 domestic machine; feed dogs dropped. Next was a Gammill Optimum on a 14′ table for 8 years; no feed dogs! Upgraded to an APQS Millennium with a stitch regulator in 2003 and have been going strong for 11 years; no feed dogs. Smaller projects I use my 1954 Singer 301 slant shank that has feed dogs that drop. Thanks for the chance to win an issue of the magazine. Thank you for all that you do to inspire us!! Hugs, Allison in Plano, Texas
Ellen
I use an Elna Quilters Dream Pro with the feed dogs down to do my FMQ. Love your blog, I bring the tutorials to my sewing room on my iPad mini to follow the photos and instructions.
Sherry V
I have a Nolting Fun Quilter on a Grace Pro Frame ….. It was an upgrade from a Juki short arm quilting machine. I have been having fun getting used to having more “play” room on my practice pieces.
Carolyn Stewart
I have an Elna eXcellence 720 and I can drop the feed dogs, but would like to see a tut for FMQ without dropping those dogs. Thanks for the change to win one of those AQ magazines.
Jean Lickun
Having newly discovered your blog, I AM IN LOVE with the beautiful way that you teach! I’m doing my FMQ on a Kenmore 19606, and I can drop the feed dogs. I’m taking everything that you say to heart and IT WORKS!
Thanks for a chance to win this magazine.
Jean
jlickun@aol.com
Sharon - IN
Congrats on the article! My Bernina 140 Patchwork Edition is about 16 years old and the feed dogs do drop.
VA
I have a Janome MC6600 (which I love) and the feed dogs do drop. It replaced my cheap discount store machine which had big-time tension issues and couldn’t drop the feed dogs. I also recently purchased a Singer 301A. Its feed dogs drop, but I haven’t tried FMQ on it yet.
Cathy Jarrett
Hi Lori, I use a mid arm Viking Megaquilter that has a plate to cover the feed dogs. I do not use it any longer, though. I tried without the plate after reading about the technique where you set the stitch length to zero instead. It works for me, but I still need lots of practice. Thanks for all your lessons and tips. Cathy
Comments are closed.