Originally Posted by
SusieQOH
Hi there- you need a foot with an opening for FMQ. They are usually round with an open or closed toe. But you can't FMQ without one.
No, you don't. It depends on the machine.
A hopping, or darning foot, is usually used with the feed dogs lowered or covered so you are controlling how fast/slow the fabric is moved. The foot raises off the fabric for a second with every stitch to make it easier to move the fabric. The shape of the foot makes it easier to see where your stitches are being laid down.
But it's not an absolute must to use a darning foot for FM work. I know several quilters who use the normal straight stitch foot on their vintage machines. I have one 15 class clone that does beautiful FM work as long as I don't put a darning foot on her. I don't even drop the feed dogs. Since her presser foot pressure spring is worn out it doesn't matter. I just set the stitch length to zero and quilt away.
Cari