since it came with the feed dog cover, I don't think there's a way to lower the feed dogs. That's the way my kenmore works too. I just loosened the pressure foot and used a plastic bobbin (less weight) I also added a flat bed table our build your own with styrofoam to keep the pressure off the quilt from working on the free arm. Look for a darning foot or a fmq foot. What a beauty! Can't believe how clean and white. Beautiful.