Someone mentioned something about using the foot that has the little spring on it. As it happens, that is the foot I use all the time. I've never used that feature so I just tested how it functions and if you push the little spring button, it makes the foot rigid (so, when in normal use without engaging the spring, the foot flexes front to back--not side to side of course). I have already finished the quilt so I will have to test out this function tomorrow sewing some scraps together.