The Cinderella of Quilting – Quilting with the Feed Dogs Up

Walking Foot Quilting isn't just in the ditch.

Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get nearly enough attention—quilting with your feed dogs up. Yes, I know, it’s often referred to as Walking Foot quilting, and it tends to sit quietly in the background while free motion quilting (FMQ) gets all the glamour. But honestly, quilting with the feed dogs up is like the Cinderella of quilting—overlooked, underappreciated, but full of magic once you discover it.

A lot of quilters seem to think you have to choose: either to “quilt in the ditch” or to go all in with FMQ. But have you ever tried going beyond the ditch?

I absolutely love quilting with the feed dogs up. It opens the door to so many creative possibilities. I'm not saying it's better than FMQ—or worse for that matter—just different. And it’s fun, effective, and definitely worth exploring.

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