Free motion quilting question

[Mahoney1]

I am about to start free motion quilting for the first time. I did take a class and I have the proper foot for my machine. This is my question- Does the U-shaped "thing" on the foot have to rest on the fabric?
Thanks, Karen

[xteacher]

Mine does not actually touch the fabric.

[minniemouse]

No I don't think so. I've not done a lot of machine quilting but I think this is what gives you the ability to move 'free motion'. If the pressure foot set down tight you wouldn't be able to slide your fabric underneath. But I'm sure there will be some one along who knows way more than I do........jan

[1quiltinnana]

Mine does not touch the fabric either....has to be able to move around under there....

[Mahoney1]

Thanks, Minnie, that makes a lot of sense!

[SharonG/FL]

I've just started doing free motion with my machine and what works best for me is a darning foot and I also leave the feed-dogs up. If the pressure foot handle isn't put down, there's a mess underneath. The darning foot doesn't set right on the fabric so the fabric can be easily moved around.

Sharon

[Caroline1947]

Mine does not touch,,,sort of hops up and down on the fabric. I put my feed dogs down,but some say up. Try it on some scraps and see which works best with your machine..

[Mahoney1]

Thanks, all. I tried it both ways, dogs up and down and I like the dogs up better. Also, since I am new to quilting and buy every gadget known to man, I am using the SewSlip. It works very well and makes moving the fabric easy.
Karen