you can use these practice sandwiches for several different things do they don't go to waste...cut up and satin stitch the edges for coasters - cut and satin stitch for cup cozies - use for grocery tote bags - etc. They don't have to go to waste.

This one has a spring and is low shank - only $12.99

http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/pd60-P60430.php

Hello Donna!! I am just learning to FMQ actually. I should have said my Singer is performing really good...lol Not so sure I am doing such a good job as yet but I am practicing. But at least I have the correct foot on there and now just to learn the technique well. I will probably stick to straight lines when working on a quilt for a while. Hope you are doing well. We miss you. HUGS Corry

Yes, the darning foot does not come all the way down to the material. I have been stippling all of my quilts and if there is a problem with my getting any stitch, I check the following: Is the needle the correct one and installed properly, is the machine threaded correctly, I check my bobbin for the same, and I clean my machine to get rid of any lint by the feed dogs, etc. I have been quilting for over 10 years and sometimes I still have to check those items again. You might do well by getting a Singer foot.

Okay, I'm having problems understanding how to pull the bobbin thread up. Can someone help explain it to me?
Thanks in advance.

Make sure your needle is in correctly. It's something we do so much, that if we get it incorrectly, we sometimes don't even realize it, but it can have the effect you're mentioning.

That is what I was going to say. Sounds like that is the problem since you are doing everything else right.

I think you either have the wrong foot or it is installed incorrectly. Can you take the foot and the machine to a local quilt shop and have someone look at it for you? I had so many issues trying to learn how to FMQ that I had to take a break from it. I went through three different foots before I found one that worked. Keep trying, the results are worth it.

Did you remember to lower the presser foot? Try taking stitch off of 0.

I hope you get it figured out. Free motion quilting is so much fun once you get started. All the suggestions I have to help you out have already been mentioned, so good luck and keep us posted!