Thanks for all the advice everyone. The foot was definitely down (I even went away and came back to it later in case I was doing anything silly!). Same with the feed dogs.
I haven’t changed the pressure of the foot (just left it on auto) at all - I’ve never had that option before so I will look at that.
rryder and Patrice - I disnt realise I could change the height of the foot either so I will definitely look at that first.
I am determined to work out the floating floot as I am getting quite good on the hopping foot now (but I think the floating will be so much quieter!) I will find a way to conquer it this weekend...