If you have a darning foot, it does make freemotion quilting (FMQ) easier because you can see your needle, and it won't snag on the fabric, and because there is nearly no foot pressure, it will glide over seams and any thick areas.
Put your stitch length on zero if you can't lower your feed dogs.
If you can lower the feed dogs, then do so.
Make some practise pieces about 12"x 12" of cotton fabric layered with a layer of batting and another layer of cotton fabric. With this small piece you won't even need to baste it.
For lots of videos on FMQ, check Leah Day's site at
http://www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com
She's my guru of FMQ,