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
Debbie Kelley
I use my Janome 7700. I can drop the feed dogs, but usually don’t. I set my stitch length to “0”. Thanks for all the GREAT tutorials. They are all great!
Lesley Gilbert
I have a NEW HOME Memory Craft 6000 which I bought about 30 years ago. I’ve recently been practising FMQ on some 3 layer practice sandwiches, working up the courage to quilt a 20″ wall hanging I’ve made for a friend, for Christmas. I do drop my feed dogs and I’ve tried various tensions for the best results. I would love the chance to win this magazine to help me on my journey, and congrats to you on being one of the columnists 🙂
Christa Dunn
Congrats on being featured!! That is awesome!! As for my sewing machine, I currently have a Brother Project Runway Limited Edition (XR9500PRW). And, yes, it has an option to drop the feed dogs- ahem, usually. But, just last night, while mending a pair of my son’s cotton shorts, the fabric somehow got caught in the feed dogs and jammed my machine. After nearly an hour of tedious work, I finally managed to cut the fabric out and remove the tangled mess of thread only to discover that my stupid fee dogs will no longer come up!! Ugh!! So frustrating!! (I’d love a tutorial for how to fix- and prevent- this sort of thing from happening again!!)
labugaiski
It depends on what I am quilting! I have a janome 6600 that I quilt small projects on, I also have a avante 18 that I do larger project on! My janome drop the feed dogs when I free motion! Thanks for a chance to win!
Jill Therriault
I use an eighteen year old 26″ Noltings long arm, no feed dogs, no stitch regulator. She’s my baby!
Donna Street
I have a TinLizzie18 longarm that I only do free motion on. I don’t have computer or laser on it. My domestic sewing machines all have drop-able feed dogs, except for the 1915 singer treadle and 1949 Singer 66. but I don’t use the old girls for FM. 😎
Carole @ From My Carolina Home
I use a longarm A-1 Elite for free motion quilting. I have done some smaller projects on a DSM with the feed dogs down, a very vintage Kenmore workhorse. I have several more machines, but I haven’t tried quilting on any of them.
Mary Justice
I use my Husqvarna Viking Model 6440, purchased new in 1976. It has an 8″ arm with feed dogs that lower. It is Cam driven and is sometimes a challenge. Freemotion is deffinately for me, as I have no computerized capabilities. Over the years I have made everything from kids clothing to tents to down insulated items. I love my Viking almost as much as your tutorials, and I can make it do almost everything I ask it to, except ‘stand on it’s head’!
Ness
I FMQ on a Bernina 550QE. Feed dogs down…had been using the beep! stitch regulator but practicing not using it. beep beep! I am not consistant with my stitch length yet but it’ll get better!
Lynn
I fmq on my 22″ Innova. I love your tutorials. What a great resource for ideas. My little Brother does drop the feed dogs, but with a longarm machine, no need to go there. I admire those of you who brave it on your domestic machines. Keep up the good work! 😉
Claire
I have a Bernina QE 150 and a Bernina 820. I was told by Pat LaPierre (of the Supreme Slider) that the 150 is her favorite machine to FMQ on – NEVER GET RID OF IT; her emphasis! I can drop the feed dogs on both. I like the deeper throat on the 820. 🙂
Audrey Busch
I am a beginner with FMQ, using my trusty Singer from the 50’s era. It works okay with the smaller size wall, refrigerator, etc. quilts I make. The Feed dogs don’t drop, but uses a plastic plate that fits over them, and I have also used a credit card, with a hole in the center for the needle–which works fine. My biggest problem with FM quilting is coordinating foot & hand speed to get an even stitch length (and making the time to practice). I am really enjoying your blog and all the comments as well. Will be looking for a new machine in the near future and its really great to hear all the comments about different choices of machines. Thanks for all the tips and guidance you give!
farmquilter
I have an Innova 18″ longarm with Lightning Stitch – I can go from 0 to 3,000 SPM and all my stitches are the same length! No feed dogs here!! Without my longarm, I would not quilt anything!!! Love your designs and they translate very well to the longarm.
Kathy Wollin
I use my Bernina 830LE. Yes I can drop the feed dogs.
Lorna
I use a Janome 1600P for quilting on a frame and sew and do
FMQ also on my Janome9700 embroidery machine on which I can drop the feed dogs.
bobbiesews
I use my Janome DC2013, the feed dogs drop. I used a 1976 Brother before that. I love your blog. rjc2cam@gamil.com
Lynn Munch
I just bought a Handiquilter Sweet Sixteen and found your blog a few weeks ago. So far, I’ve only practiced a few of your designs, but I sure am inspired by you. There are no feed dogs on my machine. Previously, I did FAQ on my Bernina 1500 with the feed dogs down.
Peggy Rihn
I use my HandiQuilter Fusion for art of my Free motion quilting. No feed dogs on a long arm!
Katrina
I love to free motion on my Janome 6300 with the feed dogs down. Thanks for the inspiration!
Bonnie
Husqvarna Designer 1 and a Janome MC 4000 and the feed dogs drop on both. I recently acquired a 1937 Singer 201 and it stitches beautifully and I want to try fmq with it also.
Becki Gilchrist
I have a Baby Lock Cresendo, and yes the feed dogs drop. What a machine!!!!! Lovvvve it….
Carole
I do my Free-motion quilting on my Janome Horizon 7700. I can and do drop the feed dogs, however, I understand it does a beautiful stitch with the feed dogs left up. I need to try it, but have such good luck with them down, I don’t want to rock the boat!
Beth
Babylock Crescendo. Yes my feed dogs drop and I use a super slider.
Alli
I do my fmq on my Juki TL-2000Qi, which does let me drop my feed dogs. Maybe in twenty years I’ll be rich enough to buy a frame for it, heh!
Norma Steven
Hi Lori,
I have an Elna 7300 Quilting Pro which allows the feed dogs to drop. I bought it a few years ago because it allows the needle down position and has a larger throat than my other “baby”…an Elna Supermatic. The latter has a small plate that covers the feed dogs so free motion is possible even with it.
Thanks for this.
Just a thought for future articles. I sometimes need to adjust the lower (bobbin) tension but have never done so. Differing threads for top and bottom often make the result by adjusting the upper tension less than perfect. Anyway just a thought for future FM.
Norma (B.C., Canada)
quiltingismyart
I use and love my Babylock Quest. I do small quilting jobs on it, as, yes, the feeddogs do drop. My other quilting machine is a Babylock Tiara and I love her also. I do think all sewing machines are females.
Nancy Magee
I use my Janome 7700 for all quilting, including free motion. Even though it has a longer throat that most machines, it can sometimes be a challenge. But by doing a section at a time I have succeeded in quilting a queen size. And yes, I do drop the feed dogs
Jeannine Stoddard
I have a Bernina 630, & recently got a Juki TL-2010Q. The feed dogs drop on both, & I use both of them for quilting
Kim
I use a Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0. The feed dogs drop easily!
Marianne Viner
I have just purchase a HQ Sweet 16 sit-down long arm machine to quilt throw size and larger quilts and am learning how to use it. Love the increased visibility I have!!
I have previously/primarily used a Janome 7700 Horizon and love that for the small projects but I feel like I am constantly wrestling when quilting a throw size on this machine. It does allow me to drop feed dogs, but I have mistakenly quilted with feed dogs up and the stitch quality and tension is still wonderful. My Janome dealer tells me it does not hurt the machine if I leave the dogs up.
Roz
The little FMQ I do is on a Bernina 440 QE with feed dogs down.
Wendy M
I sew and quilt on a Bernina 440QE and the feed dogs do drop down. Thank you for your awesome tutorials on free motion quilting! I am still trying to improve my skills and you give wonderful tips and techniques.
Laurie Hahn
My Janome 6600 is fantastic for free-motion. Once the feed dogs are dropped, I put the needle down and off I go! I have the speed adjusted and do NOT use the foot pedal, just the on/off switch.
Laura Phipps
I use a Bernina 880. I am able to drop my feed dogs. I am learning to quilt now and love Lori’s tutorials!!
Suzanna Trail
I use a Pfaff Creative Vision model. Yes, I can lower my feed dogs I love my machine
annieofbluegables
How fun. I’d love to see this. Congratulations on being featured in this fun magazine!
I use my domestic machine, an old Viking 980, and the feed dogs do drop. I love this machine so much that I bought another for backup in case this one needs to go to the shop for repairs. But if I could afford it I think I’d get the Sweet 16 by handi quilter.
Crabby Maudie
I use a Husqvarna Megaquilter for my FMQ work. I cannot drop the feed dogs. There are definitely times when I wish I could. I have to cover the feed dogs with a plate. This can limit which presser feet I can use.
Jane Brown
I FMQ on a Bernina 180, feed dogs down. There are a few instances when I left the feed dogs up w stitch length 0, but generally I have them down.
mlmasters2014
I use the Juki 2010Q. Yes, I can drop the feed dogs and having alot of fun learning as I just bought my machine this past March.
Sue
I have a Tin Lizzie Ram for my long arm quilting and a Janome 1600P DB that I have yet to use for free motion quilting. But after seeing all the wonderful quilting you are doing I am so inspired to try it. Maybe when things slow down after the holidays I will try my hand at it. I have so many great patterns to try thanks to you. You are a great inspiration to all of us! Looking forward to some great projects to help get me through a long cold winter.
Sharon
Bernina 180 embroidery machine or a bernina 240. I m getting ready to take a class on feathers with Betty New. So excited Love to do feathers just need to practice and I don’t think you can take to many classes. Love your e mails.
Helen
My only machine, which I do enjoy using, is a Husqvarna Sapphire. The feed dogs do drop.
Thanks for all of your inspirational posts!
Barbara Pena
I began sewing this year. I use an Elna 860 for everything. It does have the drop feed dog feature.
Carolyn Hock
I FMQ on my Bernina 730 with the feed dogs down. I love my machine and can quilt anything up to a twin size. Larger quilts I send to a fabulous long armer! I read your blog every morning and have enjoyed trying many of your ideas. LOVE all of the fall patterns!
LINDA
HI, I sew on a Bernina 210 and do fmqing with feed dogs down/no BSR and do fairly well. Have wanted an upgrade to BSR machine but many have persuaded me otherwise.Thanks for your Blog !
Jim Dahlberg
I use a Nolting longarm 18″.
Marsha
I use a Janome QC 6260 and yes the feed dogs drop.
Debby Chastain
Thank you for your tutorials! I use a Janome 6600 to piece and quilt and yes, the feed dogs will lower.
JoAnn Strollo
I am learning FMQ on my Brother Innovis QC1000. The feed dogs go down when I quilt. I am lucky to have a friend with an Innova 18″ long arm which I am also learning how to use.
Kathryn Mudrovich
I am a beginner in fmq, with only 2 full size quilts and a few small lap size quilts completed in fmq to date. I use my Viking Ruby Deluxe and my Viking Designer 1 with the feed dogs down.
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