have you tried a new needle? i have heard of people having machines 20+ years old...that have never changed the needle. if the needle is dull, bent, worn out...it is not going to sew well, before sending the machine back i would treat it with some new assessories :thumbup: featherweights are- as machines go very reliable work horses as long as they are maintained properly. so if it is running (mechanically) fine it is probably not the machine---