What am I not doing right? The instructions show to darn you don't have to have a foot. Ok. Everything is threaded, feed dogs are lowered, foot lever is down. Skipping stiches. So. Do I have to have a FM foot? I have one ordered, so if I do for sure, think I have that covered. Help!!!!

some say you can without the darning foot but i have never been able to. so get the foot you will have less frustration. and less likely to sew thru your finger.

Amen to that!
Yes, please get the foot first.

I haven't had any luck with out the foot.

I always use a darning foot. My 1962 Singer shows darning without a foot, not sure I have tried it.

I have a 301 also and have issues with FMQ. I bought 2 darning presser feet (first one didn't work with machine) and still have skipped stitches. I hope someone will have an answer. I really want to try FMQ on my quilts.

By "skipping stitches" do you mean that the needle penetrates but doesn't catch the bobbin thread? Or do you mean large (or very large) stitches?

I'm not sure what would cause the first problem...the second one is operator error. ;)

Doesn't pick up the bobbin thread. Sews regular stiches just fine. (Love this machine)
As for the large stitches...Plenty of those when I first started learning. LOL

Oooh. I'm glad I read this. I'll be getting the foot before I try it. I've seen them sew with the bare needle and it just gives me the creeps. I don't think it's very expensive, if you can find it.

I was taking a FMQ class with my 301. It started to skip stitches and I took off the needle plate and I swear!!! There was so much lint under it, it looked like a carpet!!! Be careful taking it off, your bobbin case has to go back in exactly the way it was!!