I have the stitch regulator and don't use it. You can FMQ with dogs up or down. Keep trying and you will master it. Make you some small sandwiches and practice, practice and practice. Good Luck.

I know I need to practice to become a better FMQ but just hated to. So I "tricked" myself and used my FMQ practice pieces as the fronts of tote bags that I use for shopping. Course now I am giving them away to friends. The other thing I do is make bigger practice pieces and then sew binding on them and donate to local animal rescue places; they use them for the animals' cages.

It's too bad that the shop owner was more interested in selling a machine than in helping you expand your knowledge! You do not need a stitch regulator to free motion (it does make it easier, especially when learning). Drop your feed dogs and put a darning foot on your machine and off you go! Take some time and check out tutorials here and on other websites. Then, practice, practice, practice! Good luck and have fun!

It's too bad that the shop owner was more interested in selling a machine than in helping you expand your knowledge! You do not need a stitch regulator to free motion (it does make it easier, especially when learning). Drop your feed dogs and put a darning foot on your machine and off you go! Take some time and check out tutorials here and on other websites. Then, practice, practice, practice! Good luck and have fun!

Wow, that's a bill of sale BS I've ever heard. I'd rather do without the SR!!! drop those feed dogs and PRACTICE!!!! that's what you need more than anything.... and a little patience and good music and relax, you'll have it down in no time!!

I bought a Bernina with a stitch regulator because I thought the same thing. Tried it and and don't like it and never used it again. I prefer to FMQ without it. It takes awhile to get the coordination of hand and feet and practice takes care of that. Don't give up!

I was conned into buying a stitch regulator with my long arm. I am ready to throw the thing out the window. No matter what I do, when I try to move the machine to the right, it skips stitches, big time... I think I am back to hand quilting. The dealer told me there must be lint on the roller or it is off track...not so!

I have a 20 year old New Home & I FMQ often. I'm a long way from perfect, but I have been paid for doing it for someone else. Like so many others say- practice, practice, practice!

Testify! I am not great at FMQ yet, but I have been doing it on an older machine that doesn't even have a way to drop the feed dogs, just a little plastic cover for them. Indeed!

Nope....there is no MUST in the equipment.

That said, I would have loved to have a stitch regulator on any of my machines...I just bought them too soon I suppose.
Practice, practice, practice.... ;-)