you are ready to start quilting. with the presser foot DOWN,hand-turn the wheel, towards you,with top thread in hand,needle should go down & pick up the bobbin thread. grab both threads as it comes up. now hold onto both threads and stitch in place about 3 stitches. this knots your thread to start FM. stitch length makes no difference in FM. it is the speed of the gas & speed of your hands that makes the stitch size. you will find yourself making nice swoops on a curve, faster than other places, and your stitches will be too long. going too slow will make them too small or bunched. It takes a lot of practice to do
FM. you may have to adjust the top tension if you are using two
different colors of thread. Machingers gloves are the greatest.
you also quickly learn to match the backing somewhat to the top so you can use the same color thread top & bottom. It really is hard to please your critical self when you first start FM. but hang with it, you will like it.

I also FMQ and it sounds like you are doing everything right if the foot is attached properly and the presser foot is down. Adjusting the pressure is very important as you don't won't the foot to sit tight on the fabric. As other's have said the speed and movement of fabric is very important. Think of it as drawing with a needle--When I first started I really was nervous abt going fast and that was my biggest problem----Step on the gas and then get your hand motion in the groove---Put on music that you like and relax-Practice, practice and then more practice---
I don't know what kind of batting you are using but I find that the type of batting makes a hugh difference---high loft is the most diffult to work with and for me the easiest is the 80/20 cotton/poly blend or 100 percent cotton low loft- I also pin baste and remove the pins as I go, I caught the foot on basting thread so moved to the pins- Also make sure the quilt is well supported with no drag- Use the proper needle and thread in the bobbin & on top. I usually use a machine quilting needle, size 12 and I use a thinner thread in the bobbin than on top.
Good luck and don't give up--

Wish I could help :)

Did you remember to put the pressor-foot lever in the down position?

check out youtube for more tips on machine quilting

It sounds like you have the wrong foot for it. You might need a longer shank foot. God bless. Penny

I'm wondering if since a generic foot was purchased was a short shank purchased when a regular shank on that generic foot was needed. Just another possibility (and no I didn't read all of the pages)sorry If I'm duplicating someone elses idea. (I use a generic "big foot"-short shank)

Well Penny, I'm an idiot! I looked at page 1 and 2 and just threw out my idea. After it posted I scrolled up and there you are with the same idea already. Guess I should have also read last page or at least last post - funny -dumb of me : )

There are 3 "stops" for the the presser foot. All the way up, all the way down, and then the "stop" in between those two, that will allow you to darn, quilt or machine embroider. I hope this is helpful.

Have you lowered the presser foot? That is a common problem with machine quilters. The quilt sandwich is thick and it looks like it's lowered and it isn't. Also are you moving the quilt itself? You are in control of the stitching on the quilt, which ever way you move it, but you have to move the quilt or you will be just stitching in one spot since the feed dogs are down.
There isn't really a difference in a darning foot and the free motion foot except the name. If you continue to have problems I'd suggest you take your machine back to the dealer and ask for some instruction in doing the free motion and also have them make sure that the machine isn't the problem and not what you are doing.
Hang in there, girl, as free motion quilting isn't learned in a day or two, it requires practice, practice, and more practice! :) Have a practice sandwich of something you can pull out every day or so and do free motion on, also maybe buy a book on machine quilting. I recommend Harriet Hargrave's Heirloom Machine Quilting or one by Diane Gaydusack, I think thats how to spell her name.
Good luck.

you must lower your presser foot. nothing will take otherwise. it is easy to forget but must be down to work.