I am new to FMQ I practiced on scraps with the embroidery or darning foot, I did not like it the material was to far away and like you it seemed to pull up and I had so e issues with the bottom thread bunching up, so I bought 2 Quilting feet the ones that have a spring on it, so far I have only used the closed toe one I was very Happy that it worked so much better, at least for me.