On my Bernina I can raise my foot.I accidentally raised it and couldn't get it to come back down for a few days. I tried everything. Then all of a sudden it was down and working again. I need to take it in and have the dealer check it out. I did something to it to make it rise and I'm afraid it will happen again. Don't feel stupid because you don't understand what is wrong with your machine. You aren't the expert in fixing machines. You are the quilter!!