Carol,
Your stitch width controls the ZZ and other patterns. Setting the stitch width nob, the round one to the right of the pattern slider, to "0" will give you a straight stitch pretty much no matter where the pattern selector is.
There will most likely be a lock to lock the stitch width where ever you set it.
At any rate the stitch width is color coded to match the patterns. To make the red patterns you have to turn the stitch width nob past three into the red zone.
There may also be a control nob or lever to change the direction of the feed dogs when you are making a stretch stitch. It might be on the back side or elsewhere, or controlled by the pattern selector. I can't tell which.
Make sure the stitch width nob is not locked and try turning it all the way to the red side then make a pattern.
Joe