I owned a Singer from the early 1970s that sat for some years. When I took it out to use, the feed dogs had completely deteriorated and didn't move the fabric. They were made from some black rubbery material and had to be replaced with new metal ones. Some machines have a lever that lowers the feed dogs so machine embroidery can be done without interference from them. It's usually in the same compartment where the bobbin case is. Put your finger under the presser foot (Remove the needle) and see if the pressure is good on it while slowly running the machine. This should tell you if it's a pressure problem or a feed dog problem. Since the machine sat idle for so long, the mechanism that lowers the presser foot may be stuck. The lever may work, but the inside mechanism could be stuck and cause a lack of pressure under the foot. If that's the case, you can usually unstick it manually. Once the stuck part is broken loose, it should work. Remove the pressure plate and make sure there's not a ball of thread or dirt caught between the feed dogs and the plate. Also, turn the plate over and check the bottom of it. Machine oil and lint can sometimes stick to things. That could distort the plate and cause the feed dogs not to reach the fabric. Someone else had a good suggestion to check the bar that sticks out of the top of the machine. It looks like a bolt with or without threads and controls the pressure on the presser foot. If it's sticking up, push it back in. If it causes too much pressure, let it back out till the foot pressure is correct. Once in awhile, when sewing is started, the beginning thread gets caught on something and impedes the movement of the fabric. If there's a burr or something else the thread is catching in, it can usually be sanded or filed off. Linda

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and support. Looking for a refurbished, gently used machine is a great idea. There are several different shops in our area to look. I shop around a lot before investing in something like this, so I'm sure we'll go from store to store and look more closely at what today's machines can do before I sink any money into one. I recovered from last night's meltdown and decided to continue with my VW quilt. But first, I reattached the walking foot (which saved my sanity more than once with the nightmare strippy quilt), and used the sticky pad lined up at the 1/4" point. That did the trick! I may have already said this, but that walking foot is one of the best investments I've ever made. Yes, sewing near the edge seems to be more of a problem. Thinking the cause may be the feed dogs, I switched to the walking foot to help control the fabric better. What a breeze that made sewing the remaining blocks. All 9 blocks are pieced (just 2 pieces each) and pressed. Now I'm beginning to apply the cars and wheels with the Steam-A-Seam 2 Lite (so far, I love it). So, I'm back in the saddle again, singing as I go..... Rollin', rollin', rollin' Though my eyes are swollen Keep them V-Dubs rollin' Rawhide! Cut 'em up, stick 'em on, iron on, sew it up, Keep a goin', don't give up Rawhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide! (I'm tired and it's way past my bedtime.....)

I have a Brother machine, and the computer adjusts the presser foot pressure automatically. If you want to free motion quilt, put the feed dogs down and set the stitch length as long as it will go. That will loosen the pressure. You do need a quilting or darning foot. Donna

Yes go shopping around for a good second hand machine. Go to more than one store and do some test driving. You might even cart the Singer along in the car and mention to the salesperson you have a Singer but that it needs to be serviced (ask for an estimate) and go from there...you might decide to keep the old Singer and just get it repaired. I think you will find some of the trade ins will entice you into buying a newer used model of some kind and be sure to have a clear understanding of the warrenty provided, if you can trade up again in the future, and what lessons if any come with the machine of your choice. Take your time and be sure to have a good look around...it sounds like you will be having some fun in the next little while.......don't buy the first machine you see just make note of the price, model and what comes with it (attachment wise)...and you will need an instruction book with the machine (or even a photocopy) as they are invaluable. Good luck and let us know what you find......now is the perfect time to go shopping....after Christmas sales, and new stock coming in so will want to shift the older models..Good luck. Budster