Could not let this one pass. My mother has a Necchi that is now 38 years old - cost a whopping $100 back then........and it just would not hold a seam. I got her a new Viking Saphire (felt she deserved a new machine) and took her Necchi to the Viking store as their repair person works on many brands. Got the machine back 1 week later - Problem? She had replaced the bobbin with one that was the wrong size and shape! He cleaned, oiled and set tensions (base $89.95 fee) and that old Necchi sews like a DREAM...goes thru heavy upholstery fabric, multiple layers of denim just like they were paper............If yours is an older machine, it is worth trying to have it repaired! (newer ones just were not designed to last as long, and with plastic parts, etc. wear out much sooner)