O.comI'm having a couple of problems: it seems like the feed dogs need to be adjusted because I need to gently pull the fabric through, from the back, otherwise the fabric won't advance & I just keep making the stitch in the same place over & over. Do you have any suggestions?

Make sure the feed dogs are not in the dropped position (for darning).

If it is very light-weight fabric, most machines will have a presser foot pressure adjustment that will increase the presser foot's pressure on the feed dogs, thus pulling the fabric through better.

Make sure the feed dogs are clean--no debris stuck between the teeth, under the feed dogs, or around the bobbin case. If it is an older machine that has been used a lot, the feed dogs could be worn down and need replacement or adjustment. (Do not run the machine with the presser foot directly on the feed dogs. This will cause excessive wear to the feed dogs and the presser foot.)

Check that the feed dogs have not been dropped for darning or free motion quilting. If the feed dogs do not rise above the needleplate, they will not pull the fabric through the machine.

Feed dogs do wear (which is why one should always sew with fabric against the feed dogs--never on bare metal).

Something else that happens is that gunk builds up between the teeth of the feed dogs so that they no longer have the grip they need to move the fabric.

Another thing to check is the presser foot "pressure." A lot of sewing machines have a pressure adjustment that increases or decreases the amount of pressure the presser foot applies to the fabric and feed dogs. (Consult your owners manual.) he pressure can be adjusted according to the type of fabric being sewn.

http://www.sewdaily.com/how-to-sew/sewing-machine-basics/the-best-kept-secret-on-your-sewing-machine

http://makeitsew.biz/presser-foot-pressure

Adjusting the presser foot pressure on your sewing machine

sewing patternreview com

...

First, verify that the stitch length is set high enough that the feed dogs should be pulling the fabric to create a stitch.

If you have not recently oiled the machine, the feed dog mechanism may be stuck due to old oil that has solidified. Pick up some liquid Tri-Flow Synthetic Lube. While gently rocking the handwheel, apply a couple drops everywhere that metal rubs against metal. Do NOT oil rubber, leather, or synthetic parts!!! Don't forget to hit the spots under the sewing surface, ie the feed dogs, bobbin area, etc. Also, move the levers and selectors and hit those with a couple drops of oil. If things are still a bit sluggish, you can apply hot air from a handheld hairdryer at the interior of the machine. The heat will help loosen things.

P.S.--I picked up a frozen Pfaff 260 at the thrift store for $25. Used the above method to get things loose and now it sews beautifully!!!

...

+

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.

...

..

Is the feed dog raised into sewing position and not dropped as for darning? Feed dogs need to be in the raised position in order to pull the fabric through the machine.

If the stitch length is set too short, it will cause the fabric to barely move thereby causing the machine to stitch in one place.

Raise your presser foot and gently rotate the handwheel and watch the feed dogs. Do they rise when coming to the front of the machine, move toward the back of the machine, drop down below the needle plate, and move forward to the front of the machine again? If so, the feed dogs are working properly.

If the feed dogs never rise, they are in the dropped position for darning or free motion quilting when you would move the fabric manually.

If, on the other hand, the feed dogs do not move at all, then they are seized and you should probably get your machine serviced.

..

***Your feed dog under the pressure foot seems to be pulling on one side a little harder which indicates wear. It is likely to solve the problem by replacing the feed dog.
***Before you do this try to lower the pressure on the pressure foot. If the material you are sewing is thick it will have an effect on the pull of the feed dogs. The material you are sewing that you sent appears to be jeans material. It looks like it is thick and somewhat slippery.

If you change the number of your stitch length it will automatically adjust the feed dogs. If it is still a problem then you will need it adjusted. Insure that your pressure foot is placing enough pressure that causes the feed dogs to pull the material forward. To adjust the feed dogs there are different ways to be adjusted. I wouldn't suggest you try to adjust the height of the feed dogs.

Check whether the feed dogs are coming above the stitch-plate at their maximum height. They should be about 1mm above the stitch plate when driving the material under the foot. I assume, by the way, that you haven't got the feed-dog drop button pushed-in at the handwheel end !!! If the feed-dogs are lower than 1mm, or not above the stitch-plate, the dog cam cam-foller will need adjustment. You have to remove the front cover to get at this and it should be done with a special gauge, so really its a service agent job, however, for what its worth;
With the front cover removed to gain access to the free-arm mechanism, look to the right of the hook race and on the end of the bottom drive shaft there are two black plastic cams . The right-hand one regulates the movement of the dogs front-to-back in association with the stitch-length stepper-motor, which drives the upper shaft in the free-arm. The left-hand cam regulates the up-down movement of the dogs and the cam follower (a piece of right-angled plated metal) has to be adjusted to determine the maximum height of the dogs aboe the stitch plate. The cam follower rubs against the top edge of the dog cam. There should be a small spring that pulls the cam follower down onto the cam at the front - if that's missing, the feed-dogs probably wont move quite correctly. To adjust the dog height, turn the hand-wheel until the feed-dogs are at their maximum height, unscrew the small screw in the left-hand side of the cam follower a couple of turns (dont, for goodness-sake, take it out !) - the feed-dogs should then pop-up above the stitch-plate. You now have a problem without the proper gauge ! You need to gently push the dogs back down against spring pressure until they are the correct height above the stitch-plate and tighten the screw on the cam follower. This should, at least, get over the problem - it wont be exactly right without the gauge and there is another adjustment that should be done to ensure the front and back of the dogs are at slightly different heights, but it should be good enough without this.

Good Luck !!!

is the presser bar applying enough pressure on the fabric to help the feed dogs do there job