I have a Singer 15-91 that is my FMQ machine. I dropped the feed dogs, bought an embroidery foot for it, and love love love the stitching it does.

I FMQ with my 15-90 treadle, my feed dogs drop, most of the time I leave them up; uses a modern darning foot. I seem to get better results.

I FMQ with my Singer 15-91's and 201-2's, also on my Necchi BU Supernova machine. I have more than 20 vintage sewing machines and haven't had a chance to try all of them yet for FMQ. I've tried my 301's but haven't had much luck with them, although I've heard others say they love them for FMQ. I don't know why some machines work well and others don't. I do know the bobbin case has a lot to do with it.

For your high shank industrial, you can get a Big Foot darning foot or you can get a Juki high shank embroidery hopping foot. I have both and they both work just fine. The Big Foot (plastic) costs about $28 and the Juki (metal) about $40. The Juki is a lot smoother and gives you better visibility than the Big Foot, but either one will do the job.

For your 15, sew-classic.com has one of the best darning feet I've ever tried (I think I have about 10 different kinds, including some antique "stripper" and darning feet and springs) - the one that works the smoothest and gives you the best visibility costs $3. :)

You don't have to drop or cover the feed dogs, but it gives you one less thing to fight if you can. If you can't, just set your stitch length to zero so that the feed dogs aren't pulling in one direction while you're pulling in another.

http://shop.sew-classic.com/High-Shank-Feet_c30.htm this place has an adapter to go from high shank to low shank it might be worth a try

I am not familiar with the 95-1, but the 15 series can drop the feed dogs & does wonderful FMQ. the vertical bobbin helps.
15's take short shank feet & there are all kinds of darning feet out there that fit it. nice harp area also.

Yes you can look on line for free manual down loads International sewing machine collectors society may have them. Be sure to put the presser fot down to engage the tension even with out the foot on

yes you just can't regulate the stiches but you release the tension spring at top.

Can I ask what the throat space is on the 96-40 machine? And what does the 40 stand for? i found a 96-10 but don't know the difference.. Thanks a lot, Danielle

ask lostn51--he is on this web site and restores sewing machines and knows a lot about them.