I'd like to ask a question also. Does your machine sit down into a case or cabiner? I find that sewing on a flat surface is very helpful because you don't have to deal with the fabric going up, across the machine, and then back down towards the table top. I think you lose control with that set up. Perhaps, if you don't have a cabinet, stack books around the machine until you have a larger, flat surface to sew on. You can tape the books together, or purchase a clear acrylic table with legs that might fit your machine. I bought an old sewing machine cabinet and my handyman put a bottom it so that it rests flush with the cabinet surface. I remove the machine when I am through and store it in its original case. It really helps when I am trying to quilt on my domestic machine. Also, built a bridge with painter's tape, as others have suggested. I used moleskin cut into 1/4" strips at one time and place it at 1/4" on the face plate, but it is soft and wears down fairly quickly so painter's tape works better. Also, as others have suggested, keep practicing. Do check and see if the feed dogs are working, as others have suggested.