List for trouble shooting: take out needle plate and bobbin case and clean thoroughly. Cleaning, a bit of oiling (I'm not sure to which degree this model are to be oiled), and more cleaning are more often than not all an old machine needs. There has to be some way to lower the feed dogs? Look for a setting or knob for the function. Some singers have a neelde plate thats lifted up above the feed dogs, but it can get stuck (more cleaning and oiling). As Cari mentions, if the presser foot is too loose, it will not grip the fabric.