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
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
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.
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)
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!
Beth
Babylock Crescendo. Yes my feed dogs drop and I use a super slider.
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!
Becki Gilchrist
I have a Baby Lock Cresendo, and yes the feed dogs drop. What a machine!!!!! Lovvvve it….
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.
Katrina
I love to free motion on my Janome 6300 with the feed dogs down. Thanks for the inspiration!
Peggy Rihn
I use my HandiQuilter Fusion for art of my Free motion quilting. No feed dogs on a long arm!
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.
bobbiesews
I use my Janome DC2013, the feed dogs drop. I used a 1976 Brother before that. I love your blog. rjc2cam@gamil.com
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.
Kathy Wollin
I use my Bernina 830LE. Yes I can drop the feed dogs.
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.
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!
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. 🙂
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! 😉
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!
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’!
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.
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. 😎
Jill Therriault
I use an eighteen year old 26″ Noltings long arm, no feed dogs, no stitch regulator. She’s my baby!
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!
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!!)
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 🙂
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!
Kathie Weatherford
I use a Bernina 440 to free motion quilt. I do use the stitch regulator. Practice, practice, practice.
andimc13
I use a Gammill Classic Plus (stitch regulated longarm) for free motion quilting. Your designs are inspiring, thanks for sharing.
Carolyn
I had used an Elna SU, purchased new in 1975, feed dogs covered. Purchased a HandiQuilter Sweet 16 in 2013, had done very little until I found you. I subscribe to AQS and hope you continue with them. How is the book coming; when, where can I purchase? Love your tutorials.
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The book is coming along. Late 2015.
Chris Reeske
I use my Baby Lock Quilter’s Choice Professional for al my quilting, including FMQ. I’ve had it for a long time so currently it probably has a different name, but the feed dogs drop, completely and partially for different uses which is very handy.
Ann P
I have an APQS Millennium I use for my free motion quilting. I piece on my Bernina 350 and one of these days I’m going to try FMQ on it. Love your blog. Have learned so much from you!
Maureen
I use a PFAFF Quilt Expression 4.2 for my FMQ and I can drop the feed dogs.
Sharon Kenshalo
I have a Brother Innovis QC 1000 Quilt Club, this is new to me within past few months, love it getting use to all the perks and feed dogs drop push of a button and have long table and throat. Been watching you tutorials, done quite few of them when make different gifts for family, friends etc. Wonderful presentations way you explain everything so much. Thank you keep up good work.
Joy Lappalainen
I love to free motion quilt on my Janome 6600 with the feed dogs up ! I use Aurifil thread and set the stitch length at 3 and the top tension to 5 and away I go – she stitches beautifully for me.
Thank you for your lovely inspiring posts Lori !
Karen Nickelson
I machine quilt with a tin Lizzie 18, my piecing machine is a huskavna 400 which treats me well after our many years together.
Linda Fentriss
I use a Janome 1600 for my free motion short arm quilting and my Brother VQ3000 for smaller free motion projects.
Liz Horgan
I sew and free motion on a Kenmore 19233. I can drop the feed dogs, but I don’t. When I first started free motion quilting with them down, I felt like I didn’t have much control. I had read somewhere that you don’t have to drop them and that you can leave the stitch length on 1 and still free motion away. I got comfortable doing this and now it’s what I do! Maybe I should try to drop them and see how it goes, but I feel like I’ve got a good thing going so why change!
Thanks for the chance to win an autographed magazine! And I love your blog and free motion ideas-your’s is my go to website when I need an idea!
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If it’s working, don’t change !
Rose Edwards
I do my quilts on a Babylock Crown Jewel. I love it!
Laurie
I have a Janome 6600. I totally love it.
Renata
I quilt on a Bernina 440 QE. I can drop my feed dogs.
elaine feldmann
I use my Bernina 920 that I bought in 1982. The feed dogs do drop. The machine works wonderful. Your daily tutorials have been very helpful to remove the intimidating art of machine quilting. Thank you
Kaye M.
I have a Bernina 550 QE that I sew and quilt on. I got it last year and am still learning how to use the stitch regulator! I quilt with the feed dogs down.
Jane
I use a Bernina 830 and yes, the feed dogs are lowered when I free motion quilt. I also have a longarm Handi Quilter Avante18. I feel much more comfortable and confident FMQ on my Bernina because I have practiced all of your tutorials so many times. Now my goal is to spend more time on my HQ. Lori, this is just a suggestion, I’d love tutorials for long arm quilting from you. Please!!!
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I don’t have a long arm. Maybe someday?!
Connie
Most of my FMQ is done on my HQ Avanti, but I’ll quilt the small (i.e. less than 40″ sq) quilts on my Janome 11000. I don’t have to worry about feed dogs on the HQ and the feed dogs will lower on my Janome. I love reading your blog and hope to use some of your ideas on my HQ. Do you have a longarm yet? if so, it would be great if you could post an ocassional tutorial for it.
Thank you for all you do.
Gail K.
I am using a Pfaff 2170 and yes, I can drop the feed dogs. A great machine!
MS Barb
Babylock Tiara, and my Janome 6600–yes, can drop feed dogs
Lyndalee Korn
I use a home sewing machine, a Pfaff 7075 for free motion with the feed dogs down. I also use the rulers that long arm quilters use. The Pfaff has a special setting on the lift that puts the foot at a position so that it doesn’t pop up and down. It stays steady. It’s used for embroidery also. I also use a Pfaff open toe clear plastic foot that has a nice thick edge. This machine was bought in 2000. The last year they sold that model.
kellie
I have a Bernina 750Q with the BSR. I also have an Elna 6005. They both drop the feed dogs. I also have a 1941 Featherweight which I have not tried yet, so I don’t know about that.
Catholic Bibliophagist
I quilt with a longarm — an 18 inch Innova with standard stitch regulator. (Obviously, there are no feed dogs.) Ergonomic issues prevent me from using my Bernina 1130 for free motion quilting, but I used it for straight-line stitching with a walking foot before I got the Innova.
Congratulations on your article in American Quilter!
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