Machine quilting has more than one meaning...it may mean making a quilt by machine, not by hand. Or it can mean quilting a top on the sewing machine or quilting machine/frame. Free motion quilting refers to quilting by machine, and it does not involve using stencils or marking a design on the quilt top. You use the machine to quilt designs free form....it can be stippling, meandering, creating feathers or making up your own designs. Another word for free motion quilting (FMQ) is "free handing." It is more than fun than using a pantograph. Enjoy.