What Do I Need to Pay Attention to?
 

I sew on a Viking Designer 1 machine.
Love it.
I don't do serious sewing, just a lot of piecing and some basic quilting.

When I piece, I like to use my walking foot as it seems to keep my fabric tight.
Lately it feels like my "feed" isn't working so well.
Seems like the foot isn't going all the way down, although it is.
Sometimes when I'm sewing, the machine will not want to "progress" or move forward
and my stitches end up being super tiny.

I've taken things apart and cleaned/dusted down there.
I've checked my stitch length.
I've changed my needle.
I'm not sure what is causing this?

Any thoughts?
Thanks!

Did you inadvertently lower the feed dogs on the machine? That could cause a similar problem.

Another possibility is if your presser foot pressure was reduced. You probably have a dial for this.

Walking feet can wear out. There is a spring inside that eventually loses elasticity with use. Might be time for a new walking foot.

I had a walking foot I used on an older Viking wear out. The "feed dogs" on the foot are made of plastic and over time they wore down until almost smooth. I could not believe the difference when I finally replaced it.

I agree with Feathers-N-Fur. You need good presser foot tension for a walking foot to work well.

I agree---it sounds like there is little pressure on your presser foot, so the fabric isn't advancing and your stitches are tiny. Look for where you adjust the pressure on the presser foot and increase it. It may be a dial that can get changed by brushing up against it, and you may have changed it without knowing it. Happens to me with my furnace thermostat, lol.

I had this happen recently & sometimes the set screw that holds the feed dogs loosens up & just needs to be tightened with a allen wrench. I googled how to fix feed dogs or something to that effect & there was a video that showed how to fix it. Really easy to do. I don't know about your machine but it is worth a shot

Forgot to add that when the screw is loose the feed dogs drop a little & can't pull your fabric through. I hope that is all that is wrong with it

Sounds to me like the feeder isn't pushing the material like it's supposed to do. Those little 'teeth' wear out in time and are easily replaced.