I have just started to learn machine quilting. Practicing with 10 to 12 inch squares. I have a Pfaff Creative vision. I went to a longarm class today for the first time. I want to find out if I can use one or not. Someday I would like to have a longarm. Costly. Need to find out if I can manage using one. Right now I need a lot of practice.

I have a Pfaff too and the built in walking foot is awesome...i haven't learned to FMQ yet, but i believe it's possible.

There should be a lever to drop the feed dogs. If there is not one then you have to cover your plate withsomething to keep your fabric from being grabed by the dogs.
The lever is usually on the right side towards the base of the machine. Not all of the old machines allowed you to drop the dogs. Some had plates that you switched out, that covered the feed dogs.

I would rather piece myself and send out for quilting.

I have a Bernina that I bought used over 10 + years ago. I use this to sew and quilt. The larger quilts are difficult but I have quilted all of my quilts.

I use a Viking 630 with a walking foot. Queen and kings can be frustrating at times but I persevere(sp).

I am a hand quilter and don't intend to machine quilt. I love to hand quilt.

I use a Pfaff and a Brother, which is the better machine as it has an adjustable pressure foot and wider throat.I would never afford a long arm as it is really a commercial price over here.

I do small quilts only, then I have a Grace quilting frame, where you put your sewing machine on a carrier and you go left to right for a couple of rows and quilt. I have a Juki machine on my frame. This is the least expensive as far as frames go.

I'm still practicing and learning to FMQ and use a Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0. Many great tips so far. I would also suggest lots of quilt sandwiches to practice on. I baste with safety pins and remove them in the area I'm working on--thread basting does seem catch on the hopping foot easily. I want to try spray basting on a project soon. One other tip is to do what you need to to get the quilting surface at a level where you are not bunching up your shoulders (taller chair/lower table)and it will go much easier.