Thanks for clarifying as I didn't understand what you were saying. My 401(the same as the 500 basically) does great straight stitching with a slant walking foot. I use it for bindings and it is a machine I won't part with! However, I wouldn't suggest anyone learning how to FMQ on it as it will probably lead to frustration. The dual features of it being a horizontal bobbin and the plate that lifts up, creates tension issues and skipped stitches during FMQ. If I had learned to FMQ on my 401, I would have cried and probably given up on it. There are quite a few vintage machines on the market that are lovely FMQ machines, but this isn't one of them. But, like I said, it is a great piecer and all around sewing machine. It has a very nice stitch quality and is very easy to fix and maintain. A real plus in my eyes.