<!-- from fixya rte -->How to raise and lower feeder feet - Kenmore Drop-In Bobbin 16231 Mechanical Sewing Machine

Depends on the make and model, some machines u can lower the feed dogs. Others have a plate to cover them u click onto needle plate.

Check on the right end of the machine to see if the indented button is pushed in at the bottom of the side panel. There is a picture just above it that shows the button out for straight or zigzag sewing, and the button in for darning or mending. The feed dog are lowered for darning and mending so you can move the fabric however you want to move it.

run you finger over the feed dogs under the foot - can us feel them above the surround? if not, you have placed your machine into free style sewing, and the feed dog does not advance the fabric in this mode. Look in your manual and see where the feed dog gets lowered/raised - raising it again should solve your problem.

there is a switch on the back of most machines behind the feed dogs that allow you to drop the feet for embroidery, you have to switch it back to raise the feed dogs back up

Here is a link to page 22 of the manual. It shows you where to flip the lever to raise the feed dogs. If your feed dogs are not grabbing fabric your feed dogs are lowered.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1050311/Singer-2638.html?page=23#manual

Did you turn your handwheel towards you, after you raised the feeddogs?

Hi. I believe your machine has a snap-on pressure foot. I've posted pictures of snap-on pressure feet at www.robbiesews.blogspot.com; just look for the 'pressure foot' tag or search the site for pressure feet and you shouldn't have any problem finding that post.

Anyway, there is an adapter (called an 'ankle') at the end of the 'long iron piece that lowers and raises the foot' (excellent description, BTW). The ankle attaches to that piece with a small thumb screw. With the ankle in place, you just lower the ankle onto the catch on the pressure foot.

You can also use regular low-shank feet on your machine. First, remove the ankle. The regular low-shank feet will attach to the raiser bar with that same thumb screw that holds the ankle in place.

You really should get a replacement manual for your machine. I found manuals for Simplicity sewing machines at http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/simplicity-sewing-machine-instruction-manuals.aspx.

Hope this helps!

Robbie

There is a slide switch on the underside of the back of the free-arm. The feed dogs will not immediately raise when you slide it, the machine must make a full rotation for it to engage.

The switch for the FEED DOGS is on the left side of the machine.

I'm not sure about this model but if you look inside the door that covers the bobbin case you may see a lever that raises and lowers the feeddogs. It might also be on the back bottom or on the right below the handwheel. If you find it and it doesn't help, most likely the bottom cover will have to be removed and you will have to oil a bullet shaped object that is stuck and work it until it frees up..
Good luck