Tammi, the thread on the top is lying flat with just dots of bobbin thread showing. The underside, bobbin side looks like normal stiching, until I try reverse and then both threads loop up. I did use floss and found no small creatures or lint. I am going to check the bobbin tension before I take apart the thread tension, and see if that helps. If it does hooray, if it doesn't ,NUTS, I really didn't want to take apart the tension, but I've dove everything else suggested here or written. Wish me luck! I also hacpve used 3 different bobbins that came with machine! Raine54rn