The purpose of FMQ is for the sewer to be "free" to do the motion instead of motion being controled by the machine. By lowering the feed dogs and using the FMQ foot the sewer is in control of the quilting. Many times the eyelashes/loops are caused by the sewer's speed of moving the fabric. By leaving the feed dogs up they put a little drag on the fabric therefore slowing down the movement of the fabric. this slower speed may be preventing the eyelashes/loops. The drag on the fabric actually prevents the fabric from moving "freely" and may make you FMQ harder. Also if you are using a slider then why leave the feed dogs up since covering them will stop them from grabbing the fabric. as for damaging the machine? not sure but it can not be the best thing for it since you are working against the feed dogs. There may be a good reason that lowering the feed dogs is recommended. IMHO
Last edited by bigsister63; 05-20-2013 at 05:28 AM.