If you're feeling that much drag, maybe you need to put something on your machine that is slippery to assist with this. Try to make sure that your quilts weight isn't hanging. Sort of make a puddle and then have everything else on the table next to you holding its weight.

I agree with foot tension. Lightening this up should help also if you have that cabability.

Good Luck!!

I have a sew slip you.I got mine from a lady at my quilt guild. I do have a web address sewslip.com It's a slippery surface with a tacky bace to hold it in place.

thanks again for the info. It was very aggravating and since I had only machine quilted one other cotton quilt, I couldn't understand what the problem was. I think some of it might be the weight drag issue...and i need to roll it more efficiently to fit into the arm space...but I put it aside until the weather cools down, and made another top for distraction.

quilting gloves help a lot as well. takes the pressure off your shoulders and lets you guide more with your fingertips.

I have made many kid size quilts with cotton top, cotton batting and flannel backing. I found that pressing with lots of steam helps to keep everything from shifting. It flattens out, but then fluffs up when washed. I had a devil of a time with poly batting though, especially since you can't press or steam without it melting. You might also try to stabelize the sandwich by using dissolvable thread or 505 spray. I spray the sandwich and then pin the corners. That and the pressing is I think what helps me. Maybe some of that will help you.

1. loosen the pressure on the foot sometimes I have to go to the highest (meaning less pressure) position.
2. Be sure there is no weight drag from the quilt itself\
3. Be sure the walking foot is the right one for your machine and with a walking foot you get exactly what you pay for. I bought an inexpensive generic one and didn't know how bad it was until it broke and I bought the quality more expensive one. The difference was amazing.

remember with a walking foot you need your feed-dogs to be up (engaged) if using the darning/free motion quilting foot then the feed dogs should be down.
distributing the weight of the quilt is important to keep drag down and i nice even speed. you should not have to 'pull' on the quilt to get it to travel along...it should be inching along with just some guidance to keep it straight.
start in the center, go down to edge then turn quilt go back to center and travel in the new direction to edge.
it helps me to do one quilting line the full length then turn again to start the next one. starting in the center instead of the outer edge helps keep the (pulling out of shape) to a minimum.
practice, practice...