i also have the tin lizzie and have never had a problem. when i had some questions in the beginning regarding thread, i called them directly on the phone and they walked me right through it. later i had a problem with the stitching (not the regulator) and again they solved it over the phone. that was 5 - 6 quilts quilts ago. no problems since then. i'm really sorry about your mom. this was a machine i recommended but now i'll think twice. what did her own repairman have to say?