How did people do quilting in the past before there was the possibility of dropping feed dogs? Did they just quilt by hand?
I have a special plate that covers the feed dogs on my vintage machines (FW, WHITE, and 1914 Red Eye). You place it over the feed dogs and put a screw through the hole in it into one of the holes on the "floor" of the machine. I guess that's what those holes were made for - to use for certain attachments like this.
I bought it online and don't remember what it is called, but it can be found I am sure by googling something like "feed dog cover plate".
I am not very good at FMQ YET because I need to practice a lot more but I am very happy with the situation.
Also I should say that my WHITE machine, which is from 1945 or 47 (thereabouts) has a dial so that I can lower the feed dogs on that. However, I am so in love with my Red Eye that I prefer to sew on her.
I sure would like to hear your opinions of all this.