It does bunch up at the arm, both sides of the arm allow the rest of the quilt to flow to the back. For me it is easier to deal with the bunching there as to deal with the bunching next to my hand. On that area of the machine there is always going to be bunching as you quilt, but with it being behind what I have quilted I still have room for my hands to control the area that I am quilting. This may not be workable for everyone, but it is easier for me. I started fmq this way before I knew the correct way to do it.