Thank you all very much. I did clean as much as I could. I called the repair guy yesterday and I have an appointment for tomorrow afternoon. Having a "sick" machine is the worst. It is due for a cleaning, as well. I remember getting it cleaned around this time last year as he commented that it looked like I was sewing with fleece then (Halloween costumes last year). I think it is time to buy an inexpensive machine and use it for some of these jobs and keep my "baby" for quilting and other sewing (NO MORE FLEECE). I am hoping that he can nurse her back to health without leaving it at the shop. I have never been without a machine. Gerry