Fabric does not feed through machine - Brother XL-5700 Mechanical Sewing Machine

Need more information. Is the machine new? Has it fed correctly before? Is the fabric very thin? Are you using a foot that is not original to that machine. Have the feed dogs been lowered? Check these out. Then come back

Would suggest taking your machine for service. Could be the feed dogs need adjustment or realignment. Also, make sure you are using the correct presser foot for your machine. With all the new machines that have 7mm and 9mm presser feet (most older machines have 4mm or 5mm), using the incorrect width presser foot may cause the fabric to skew.

Tension does not affect the ability of the machine to feed fabric, except in extreme cases perhaps when tension is too tight.

You probably need to adjust the presser foot pressure of your machine. Lighter weight fabric is more difficult to feed, therefore the pressure needs to be increased. (Heavy weight fabric will sometimes push the upper layer of fabric in front of the presser foot, therefore less pressure is required.) Even so, very fine slick fabric (silk, satin, chiffon) sometimes still needs additional help. In such cases, a roller foot, teflon foot, or walking foot may be beneficial. There is also the possibility that the feed dog teeth have been worn so they do not grip the fabric like they should. (Avoid running the machine without fabric between the presser foot and feed dogs to protect the feed dogs from unnecessary wear.) If they are worn, usually they can be replaced.

Another possibility is that the feed dogs do not raise as high as they should. This would most likely require a technician's assistance.

Um, as an additional thought, make sure the presser foot surface is smooth. Any rough surface (nicks, rust, etc) will restrict the fabric's ability to move.

try this link might help you out... Sewing machine won feed ..or this one.... Why Is My Sewing Machine Not Sewing or Feeding Fabric ..or this one.... Sewing Machine Not Feeding Fabric

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

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Check that the stitch length is set to make ~10 stitches per inch. This stitch is long enough to actually move the fabric. If the stitch length is set too short, the fabric will stay barely move and the needle will stitch almost in place.

Check that the feed dogs have not been dropped for darning or free motion quilting. In this position, they do not rise and are, therefore, unable to contact the fabric to pull it through the machine.

With the presser foot raised and using no fabric, hand rotate the handwheel and watch if the feed dogs actually drop down below the needle plate, move toward the front of the machine, then rise above the needle plate, and move toward the back of the machine. If the feed dogs are moving in this manner, then they are functioning properly.

Is there lint or gunk stuck in the feed dogs? This will restrict the ability of the feed dogs to grip the fabric.

Are the feed dogs worn? Are the little teeth worn so there are no sharp points?

What type fabric are you using? If it is very light-weight or slick fabric, the feed dogs will have a difficult time gripping the fabric. Most machines have a presser foot pressure adjustment so that more pressure is applied between the presser foot and the feed dogs. Consult your Owner's Manual. The adjustment is usually a dial either on the left side of the machine, on the front of the machine located above the needle bar, or on vintage machines it is usually a skrew located under the top lid above the needle bar.

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Are you sure the feed dogs have not been accidently lowered? They will still move when lowered but not feed the fabric.

it would be a good idea to have the feed dogs checked to see why
they are not moving the fabric

Presser foot tension is to low for the weight/finish of the fabric, or bottom dogs are worn.

• The feed dog feeds the fabric under the presser foot while you guide the fabric.

  
  

• The feed dog regulates the stitch length by how much fabric passes under the presser foot as the machine stitches.

  
  

• It is important for you to not push and pull the fabric under the presser foot. Allow the feed dog to move the fabric, so that you do not bend and break sewing machine needles.

Hope this helps.