I can't bring myself to pay what it costs to have a quilt done professionally (and so do not have any of those super gorgeous ones like I see here). Years and years ago I quilted feathers on my regular sewing machine, but can't remember now if I did anything except draw and stitch. Now I usually stick to stitch-in-the-ditch... I'm no help, huh.
P.S. I had an after-market walking foot and it drove me mad, so it's gone. There is a craftsy class on free motion quilting that is undoubtedly worthwhile.