If it's hitting the darning foot when the foot is down, won't it also hit the needle plate? I'm not familiar with this model, but I'm guessing it's pretty modern?

Did you buy it new or used? I ask because LOTS of times when I buy a vintage machine, it's got stuff in the accessory kit and drawers that go with a different machine or don't have anything to do with any kind of sewing. But then again, you said that it was working, so that couldn't be it.

If it was working fine a week ago, then it's not the foot that needs adjusting, it's the position of the needlebar or the position of the attachment as it's seated on the needlebar.

Are you sure that it's not broken?

Are you sure that you are getting it seated in its proper orientation and that you're using the right thumbscrew to attach it? (if it uses something other than the normal thumbscrew or lever) ( :oops: I forgot you said that you'd taken it off and put it back on several times)

Do all the other feet work properly?

Have you had any hard needle strikes? If so, that could have jarred the needle bar out of position or even bent it out of alignment.

Has the machine been dropped, or has anything perhaps fallen against it hard enough to knock the presser bar or needle bar out of alignment?

I'm sort of grasping at straws, but I hope you can find out what's wrong with it. If you have had a hard needle strike, I would recommend that you take it to a service center and have them take a look at it to make sure that the needlebar hasn't been knocked out of shape.

Good Luck!

The needle isn't hitting anything else. It works pefect with the other feet.

My husband bought the machine for me new about 5 or so years ago.

I'm 99% sure there's nothing broken because if that were the case wouldn't it act strange with the other feet on it?

I'm think of buying another darning foot and see if that's the problem. I don't have a lot of patience with something that doesn't work. LOL!!

If I do decide to buy another foot should I get another darning foot or a free motion stippling foot? Is there any difference because they look alot alike?

I don't either - can't blame you a bit.

If all the other feet are doing what they should be doing, then yes, go ahead and try a different darning foot.

My very favorite darning foot is this one:
http://shop.sew-classic.com/Low-Shan...t-SCF55417.htm In fact, I bought a half dozen of them thinking that at $3 each, I would have to replace them frequently. But noooooo... I haven't worn one out, yet! LOL!

If you've got a standard low-shank presser bar, this foot gives you really good visibility, it's very quiet and it's apparently indestructible, too. :mrgreen:

Good luck! :)

P.S. - I have eight or more different types of darning feet/free motion feet, from the antique to vintage to modern. From that little $3 thing to a $40 Juki hopping foot.

All of them are meant to do the same thing whether you're doing darning, free-motion embroidery or free-motion quilting. They momentarily press down on the fabric to hold it in place while the hook catches the loop of thread formed by the needle. The mechanism is different and the name is different, but the use and purpose are the same. :)

Will this fit my machine? It's a Singer 140Q.

I'm betting that it takes standard low shank attachments.

I don't think Singer has made any domestic high shank or slant shank machines for at least 25 years and your machine is only 5 years old. :)

Thanks for explaining that. Since deciding to FMQ I'm learning a lot about my machine and what everything does.

I'm going to get one ordered. Thanks!

Have you checked to see if you needle's bent?