The lady who mentioned feed dogs just take a look. I purchased an old machine which was tested and serviced before it came. The food dogs did have fabric in looked like black felt. A friend after paying for a service couldn't get her machine to work. I went to help and found the feed dogs and bobbin area clogged so much nothing moved which was why it went for a service. My hands I tend to keep to the sides of the needle and hold lightly.