Feed dogs not feeding material

Hm, could be several things. If stitches are not being formed, it could be a timing issue (the needle does not arrive at the bobbin at the correct time). Did the machine recently hit a pin or something hard? That will knock a machine out of time. There could also be a broken piece stuck that is preventing the feed dogs from operating. Thoroughly clean the machine around the bobbin area and feed dogs.

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Be sure you have the stitch length set high enough that the fabric will actually move instead of sewing mostly in one spot.

One other thing to check is the presser foot applying enough pressure to the fabric so that the feed dogs can grab the fabric? On the top left side of the machine, there is probably either a dial or a push-type button. That would most likely be the pressure adjustment. The tighter that is set, the harder the pressure the presser foot will apply and the more the feed dogs will grab the fabric.

Check that the feed dogs are in the "up" position so they will pull the fabric through the machine. Are the feed dogs actually moving forward, raising above the needle plate, pulling toward the back of the machine, and then dropping below the needleplate before moving forward again? If not, then the problem could be with the feed dogs.

Your machine appears to be a mechanical model. If so, it could be the machine needs a good over-all cleaning and oiling--a couple drops of fresh, good quality sewing machine oil every place that metal rubs on metal (no plastic parts, belts...). Feed dogs are frequently affected when the sewing machine does not receive regular maintenance.

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it is possible that you have the feed in the neutral position ( halfway between forward and reverse ) from your problem discriotion

"FEED DOG BUTTON" ISN'T QUITE CLEAR. HOWEVER, THE FEED DOG IS CONTROLLED BY THE STITCH LENGTH. IF THE STITCH LENGTH IS SET TO ZERO THE FEED DOG WILL STAY BELOW THE PLATE AND THE MATERIAL WON'T MOVE.

Is it an older mechanical? If so, probably needs a good cleaning and oiling. The old oil has turned to goo and is sticking moving parts together.

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it's not feeding the mat'l because the dogs are not working

check to see if the feed dogs lever is in the up position for sewing, if not move the lever to the up position, if the feed dog lever moves and it doesn't make the machine sew, then the feed dogs need to be checked.

The presser foot should only glide over the material. The feed dogs move the material. Check to see if your machine has a drop feed feature... for embroidery... or darning, etc. If it does return the feeds to sewing position.

remove the plate over the feed dogs (the toothy parts that move the material) it usually just pops off even if there are screw heads. the feed dogs have the three or four raised dogs separated by valleys.make sure the valleys aren't filled with packed cloth fiber dust bunnies.

Check to see what pattern is selected. Be sure it isn't the buttonhole.Select straight stitch.Move the stitch length setting to 4.Turn the handwheel and see if the feed dogs move forward. Press the reverse lever and see if they move backwards. Select straight stretch stitch and turn the wheel to see if the feed dogs move forward and backward.Check the presser foot release on top of the machine and make sure there is pressure on the foot.
Sometimes the reverse assembly on this machine stops working because it has the wrong type of grease on it and it turns into a hard gummy mess that won't let it work.
sewman7