Ditto.... I do just fine w/out a stitch regulator, but it took me a lot of practice to get to this point.

I FMQ with and without dropping the feed dogs, I can't set my machine to a zero stitch, I just set it to the smallest possible setting :D

You can even FMQ using a zig zag stitch, there are many, many possiblilities :D:D:D

Same here :thumbup: :thumbup:

Yup - I surely do think you were told wrong. FMQ takes time to get the stitches even - and that means practice. I do drop the feed dogs on my machine - and am slowly getting it to where the stitches are even.
Do I wish I had a long/mid arm and frame set up? You bet - I'm saving money for one. But for now - this is what I have and I'll continue to practice.
I AM getting better :) !!

Found it's easier to practice on things like pot holders or table runners....something practical and soon you'll get the feel of FMQ....truly!

Just drop the feed dogs. Takes some practice to get even stitches but it is very possible. The first machine I learned to FMQ is 44 years old. I now have a new machine, but you do not need a special machine. Just practice to keep the stitches even.

Me, too!!

It is most certainly okay to FMQ without a regulator. All it takes is the dreaded P work PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!
I do it free hand on both my regular machine and my midarm. YOU can do it if I can. Go girl

Same here.

So true.........sounds like she just wants to make a sale

there was FMQ long before stitch regulators.

I used to think what you do. I have been going to Day Style quilting and this blog http://www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/ Leah Day is super in teaching and also recommends not to get a stitch regulator on your home machine. Practice is what she recommmends and she has a beautiful teaching voice. She is designing 365 different FMQ patterns and you can find tutorials on all of them there. Have fun, I love that blog too.

FMQ can be done without a regulator. Drop the feed dogs and use your darning foot. PRACTICE - PRACTICE - PRACTICE

I've tried the stitch regulators at shops and just hate it. I cannot stand the variation in motor sounds. I just use my regular machine and love the relaxing sound of the machine running at a consistent speed. I may not get 100% even stitches, but I don't do quilting to win prizes or anything else. I do it because I love doing it and no one has ever turned down one of my quilts.

I do not have a stitch regular

I am NO PRO but looked into buying a machine with a stitch regulator and tried it at the local shop, then came home and tried mine without and the SR is no magic tool...the stitch lengths can vary with it too. I think we sometimes forget...these are crafts or art made by humans and we humanly make variations. I think this is part of the craft or art.
That is why I do not have a machine that does die cuts. So guess you have to decide how human do you want your art to look. Even machines are not perfect. Happy stitching!

Girl after my own heart!!!! You go girl!!! :-D :lol:

I don't have one either my FMQ is improving all the time. Set your machine at a slower speed to begin with and learn to control your hands before you speed up your machine. You will be surprised when you practice. Sounds like she wants to sell you something or she don't know what she is talking about

of course you can FMQ on your regular machine, it just takes practice and patient, you need to get comfortable with the speed you need to sew at so that the stitches are even ( not easy but with practice, very do-able).

sit down, relax, speed up your stitches and practice.
you will do great.

After practice, you can regulate the length of your stitches to whatever you want. It has to do with the speed you have the machine running at and how quickly you move the quilt around.After a while you will get into the rhythm that you like. I always find that it is good to have a practice sandwich and play around on it for about 10 - 15 minutes before you start each session with your quilt. It loosens you up, gets you into rhythm and irons out tension or knotting problems with your machine. Best of all, don't let people talk you into buying junk that you don't need. The olden - day folk made magnificent quilts without all the fancy stuff and so can we.
Give it a go and I am sure you will be rewarded.

I went to a quilting expo at Nancy's Notions store in Wis. one year and took a class in FMQ. We got to use the Bernina with the regulator and because I was always a little intimidated by FMQ, almost got sold the machine. But I did get some very good advice that I still use today on my old machine - before you start quilting, get some paper out and draw what you want to quilt. Not careful and precise like a pattern, just smooth and flowing, sometimes not even looking at the paper. This puts a memory of the design in your brain and hand and helps me get a less "jerky" look.

I have never had a regulator and have been told my quilts are beautiful. All it takes is practice. Have you tryed just doing some smaller projects like table covers to get the feel of it. Just give yourself more time and hang in there.

Obviously you DO have a stitch regulator: YOU ;)
Great FMQ
Gives me hope.

How did people do quilting in the past before there was the possibility of dropping feed dogs? Did they just quilt by hand?
I have a special plate that covers the feed dogs on my vintage machines (FW, WHITE, and 1914 Red Eye). You place it over the feed dogs and put a screw through the hole in it into one of the holes on the "floor" of the machine. I guess that's what those holes were made for - to use for certain attachments like this.
I bought it online and don't remember what it is called, but it can be found I am sure by googling something like "feed dog cover plate".
I am not very good at FMQ YET because I need to practice a lot more but I am very happy with the situation.
Also I should say that my WHITE machine, which is from 1945 or 47 (thereabouts) has a dial so that I can lower the feed dogs on that. However, I am so in love with my Red Eye that I prefer to sew on her.
I sure would like to hear your opinions of all this.

I do FMQ all the time. The first time I tried was a nightmare but once I conquered it I love it. I do drop my feed dogs and I do not have a regulator. I do adjust my tension and my stitch lenth.

i have a stitch regulator... it's called "my right foot"

In the last 3 years I have pieced and quilted 5 quilts on the machine. I don't use a regulator, I just set my machine to the stitch that work on that quilt and away I go.

I was at the LQS taking a beginners lesson that came with my machine and she showed us a round red ring that felt rubbery on the outside but had some weight to it ..... you placed this over the part you wanted to quilt and it clung to the top and helped move it and also kept your fingers away from the needle. Has anyone heard of this? I think it was new.

LOVE IT!

Yes it is possible to master FMQ without a stitch regulator. It takes practice. When I started my stitches were all over the map. But I kept practicing and I am finally getting it down. It takes coordination between the speed you are stitching and how fast you are moving your quilt. I compare it to learning to drive a stick shift. Once you get the coordination down you start thinking this isn't so hard and then it become fun. Keep trying. You will get it.

Ah what did women do before all these new gadgets and didn't want to do it buy hand........................some gadgets are nice but but if we take our time we can do almost anything on a good old fashion machine.

Me, too, except that I'm not a beginner. Practice, practice.

Sounds to me like she wants to make a sale badly enough to put her honesty on the back burner or she just doesn't know about quilting herself. Of course you can free motion quilt without a stitch regulator. I don't have a stitch regulator on my long arm and quilted free motion for years on a sewing machine without a stitch regulator. There's a ton of information to help you in these posts. Good luck, whatever you decide. :thumbup:

Also, you can practice with an unthreaded needle on pieces of paper. Draw a loopy design and trace it with the needle. Cheaper than using fabric and you can repeat the design as often as needed before actually sewing.

Love these responses! Excellent question and the wisdom of these folks mean I learn new things each day.

I'm just learning FMQ and for my small projects, I'm using my treadle!! LOTS of control with regulating stitches. LOL!

I don't have a regulator and I don't have any problems. Did she tell you to drop your feed dogs ? If not she was definately looking for a sale. Don't know if I would go back there! It also takes practice, don't get discourraged!

some really new and neat things happen when you don't know you can't. don't listen when someone tells you you can't. it just means they have tried and it has not worked for them. 8-)

I Have a stitch regulator and I hate the dang thing. I do better and enjoy it more without it

Don't believe that......it is not true!

You are NOT the first quilter that doesn't have a 'STICH REGULATOR', I now this comes as a SHOCK!!!! But we did NOT invent FMQing, the first quilters (grandmothers, greatgrandmothers, etc), found that with out fancy machines that they could do this. Not every one did quilting by hand, so one of our 'MOTHERS' took a look at her machine and said "WHY NOT?" So all you have to do is play with it a little more - Don't let people say NO!, just remember our mothers did it with a LOT LESS than we have now! Work on a sandwich that is no larger than a doll quilt size, so you can get the feel with out all the bulk. Sew Happy!

check out http://www.daystyledesigns.com/365project.htm leah has free designs and lots of tips on how to get started. you can google her name leah day and find her blog it is interesting reading for new and experienced quilters. I don't FM but enjoy seeing the process. cw