I have this machine and had a terrible time getting it to fmq. I now love it! I only thread the first hole in the bar. I turn the pressure knob to be low pressure and I set the upper tension to 0 and turn it up 1/2 at a time until the stitch looks good. I set the stitch length dial to 3 1/2. Feed dogs down which means switching the pin feed dial. I use the pin feed setting for all seaming and machine quilting but not for FMQ.