Newcomer Questions
 

Can someone explain to me the difference between "machine quilting" and "free motion quilting"?

What is the difference between a walking foot, a darning foot, and a piecing foot?

When you use a walking foot, do you you leave your feed dogs UP?

What kind of foot do you use if you put the feed dogs DOWN?

Do you use a walking foot with feed dogs up to attach your binding?

Welcome to the board. Free motion quilting (FMQ) is machine quilting, as opposed to hand quilting, but possibly refers to just sewing in lines or 'in the ditch'.
A walking foot is for layers so they don't slip or move apart; a darning foot is used for FMQ and piecing is for sewing the blocks together.
Feed dogs up for walking foot and darning foot when down.
See above - best to use a walking foot for binding IMHO.
Happy quilting!

free motion quilting is done by machine, but its accomplished by you moving the fabric to create a quilting pattern, rather than the machine moving the fabric.

A walking foot is generally used after you've made your quilt "sandwich", that is layered your backing, batting and top. The walking foot helps to move the top layer of fabric at the same time as the lower layer. You would use the walking foot when doing straight line quilting.

You use the darning foot when doing free motion quilting with feed dogs down.

The piecing foot (quarter inch foot) is used when sewing the separate pieces of your block together.

Feed dogs are up when using walking foot.

Feed dogs are down when using darning foot, or free motion foot (although I have read that some people leave the feed dogs up and set the stitch length to zero). I've never tried that.

I use the walking foot to attach binding. I know of no time when you would use a walking foot with the feed dogs down.

Machine quilting has more than one meaning...it may mean making a quilt by machine, not by hand. Or it can mean quilting a top on the sewing machine or quilting machine/frame. Free motion quilting refers to quilting by machine, and it does not involve using stencils or marking a design on the quilt top. You use the machine to quilt designs free form....it can be stippling, meandering, creating feathers or making up your own designs. Another word for free motion quilting (FMQ) is "free handing." It is more than fun than using a pantograph. Enjoy.

all these answers are wonderful and so very clear. Especially useful after spending half an hour trying to figure out how to attach both at the same time! As a VERY new quilter, these instructions were invaluable - thank you (and don't I feel a wee bit silly!)

We have all been beginners! And wondered what everyone was talking about in this "new language" of quilting. Glad you are coming to join the fun!

The members have provided you with the correct answers like usual. This is a great group with lots of knowledge to share!