My machine does not drop the feed dogs, either. The first [and only] time I tried fm on that machine, I just reduced the tension of the presser foot. It seemed to work just fine, as opposed to my working just fine... LOL. I was trying stippling for the first time and thought that it had to be a specific pattern to it and sewing lines must not cross. I have since learned that you can make your own design and the quilt police will not arrive if you cross the line :)