I am in need of some information about free motion quilting on a Brother XL-3022. I don't have a darning foot, and what I have tried so far has been a total mess. I have covered the feed dog and tried it with the presser foot up and down. Down and I am not able to move my fabric. Up and I get a mess that looks like the tension is not correct. Anyone with ideas, please PM or post. I check the site daily because I love the pictures and tips.

yes, darning foot. pressure foot up doesn't engage the thread and down won't let you move the fabric. You can get a spring that attached around the needle that might work or a needle that has a built in spring. These are used in machine embroidery but I have not been successful with the in free motion quilting. What model and year is yur machine

Wow! I think this machine is at least a 1994 or 1995.

I have a Janome that does not lower the feed dog so when I want to FMQ, I have a piece of cardboard with an oval hole cut into it for the needle that I tape over the faceplate. Then I set my stitch length to nothing (or as small as it is able to go). I do use a darning foot and I suggest you invest in one if you want to FMQ. You should be able to find one that fits your machine. I use one from my Brother on my Janome and it works fine.

I have a brother and was able to get several quilting feet for my machine on Amazon.....I was pleasantly surprised at the price....Check it out!!!

I have an older brother that I use as a backup, I cover the feed dogs with duct tape, it is heavier and stays put.

You must have the pressure foot down to engage the bobbin thread, there is a way to adjust the tension on the pressure foot someplace on the machine. Back off the pressure slightly and you should be able to move the fabric.

My machine came with an darning foot, if yours did not, you can buy one cheaply, you really need it to do free motion.

here is a link to sew4less

http://www.sew4less.com/product/4096...for_model_info

Hope this helps.

Also wear garden gloves or gloves sold for quilting, no pressure on the foot. The gloves make it possible to move the quilt.