Lowering the feed dogs is only half of the setting change. The correct workflow is to confirm that the exact machine supports drop feed, use the documented control for the intended technique, then restore normal feed and verify that the feed dogs actually return to working position. Lever direction and re-engagement behavior vary by model,
Sewing machine feed dogs are the toothed parts below the presser foot that advance fabric during ordinary machine feeding, but their job makes sense only when they are viewed as part of a timed system. In a common domestic drop-feed arrangement, the feed dogs rise, contact the fabric, travel through the feed stroke, then drop
If your feed dogs won’t come up after you return the drop-feed control to regular sewing, the lever may not be the final step. Some machines require a handwheel turn or needle-position cycle before the feed dogs re-engage, while other models do not lower the feed dogs at all and use a darning plate instead.