You don't need a walking foot but they are really nice. I use mine for straight line quilting to keep the quilt from bunching and wrinkling on the back. I also like to use it for attaching my bindings - you are less likely to have the quilt edges wrinkle or make a little pleat when using the walking foot. Double needle: 2 spools, 1 bobbin. The back of your stitch looks sort of like a zig zag. For something like diamond quilting, I use a quilting bar that attaches to my presser foot (I think that's what it's called). Mark the first line and sew it, then set the bar at the correct width and let it follow your previous stitching line each time you make a pass. The quilt bars are pretty inexpensive. Can't remember, but I'm sure it was under $10. Got mine from the shop where I bought my machine.