How do I lower the feed dogs on my sewing machine?

Question

I would like to try free motion embroidery/stitching, and I know that in order to do so, I need to lower the feed dogs on my sewing machine. How do I this? Is this a permanent thing, or is there a way to adjust them up and down so I can go from free motion to regular sewing?

If it matters, this is the machine I have:

http://www.brother-usa.com/Homesewing/ModelDetail.aspx?ProductID=XL3750

I didn't see anything in the user's manual that showed how to do this. "Feed dogs" weren't even in the index, actually.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Some machines don't let you drop the feed dogs (did you call your dealer or Brother and ask?). I'd look around to see if there's a dial or lever or switch near the underside of the front of the machine that can be switched.



If you don't find anything, don't despair. Set the stitch length to 0 and cover the feed dogs (I use a taped-down piece of credit card plastic with a needle hole drilled through it on my old Singer 15).

Answer 2

This is a really common feature on sewing machines - and has been for almost 100 years! Some of the very cheapest hobby machines are in the class of having non-adjustable feed-dogs - but you don't want to buy any of those machines. There have been a number of questions about machines in the last few days. Do yourself a favor and find the posts by Kay - she is amazing about machines. The one thing I believe in though - is that you NEED to buy from a sewing machine store unless you are an extremely knowledgeable sewer. And even experience folks need a hand if we are changing brands or are changing technologies -- today's computer controlled machines are so significantly different from our old standby workhorse machines like the mid 50's to mid 80's Singers, Kenmore's, Whites, etc. If you have a local sewing machine store - go there - sit down and test drive a few machines. Know your budget and don't be afraid to stick to it. Don't allow yourself to be up-sold to a fancy machine, it is not the right choice for a first machine. Remember this is your machine and you need to be comfortable with it - how does the foot pedal respond, do you think you can rethread it reasonably, is the buttonhole process striaght forward or does it require 20 steps? Do it have the bells and whistles - are are there so many they are overwhelming? All things to think about. You need one that does a good solid straight stitch, a zig-zag that will go out to a 4, and an easy to understand buttonhole. There really isn't much else that you NEED for a first machine. You need time to learn how to thread it, fill a bobbin, and troubleshoot when it gets tangled up. Being able to lower the feed-dogs is important if you are going to want to do free-hand stitching and with some buttonhole making processes. You now have some good armor for the battle of purchasing your first machine - good list of haves / have nots that you want your machine to have. HTH

Answer 3

Sonyaka K is right on the money!!! There are very few machines which do not have this feature, and NO, it isn't permanent. You can raise and lower the feed dog as much as you like. NOTE: When you lower the feed dog and then raise them again, the machine has to make one revolution of the handwheel for the feed to engage. This is a built-in safety feature, but freaks some people out since they think the machine doesn't work if the feed doesn't come up as soon as they engage the lever.

Answer 4

Lervia Sewing Machine

Answer 5

I have a new home machine and I want to know how do I lower the feed dog

Answer 6

i have a new Singer Model 7285 Patchwork machine and I can't find anything about lowering feed dogs. Can't believe a new machine would not have this feature. Anyone know about this tx



marolyn

Answer 7

I have a very similar Brother machine.

Here's how to do it on mine; yours is probably the same:



Remove the tray at the front (the one holding your spare bobbins and extra feet) by sliding it to the left. Look at the area that's been exposed. There should be a lever in there (mine is off to the right) with a couple of icons indicating "feed dogs up" and "feed dogs down."



Hope that helps!

Answer 8

I am a sewing machine tech and will tell you that not every machine has that feature. Yours isn't listed for one but if it has one it would have a lever near the bobbincase outside or inside the door or benieth the machine.

Good luck.

Answer 9

i have a singer 2250 and have no idea how to lower feed dogs never mind adjusting it, i would really like some help with this

Answer 10

i have brother x-5 sewing machine how do i drop my lower feed dogs?

thanks

Answer 11

I have an old Singer and can't figure it out.