When you sew normally, as in piecing, you sew in a straight line, and you presserfoot and feed dogs move the fabric through the machine. In FMQ, you lower the feed dogs...so, if you don't move the fabric, it just kinda sits there..making knots in the thread, lol. So, you provide the motion. You place your hands on the fabric and you can make loops, hearts, etc. It takes some practice, but it is really neat. Google free motion quilting videos and you can watch it being done, which will help you understand a little bit better.