Thanks Y'all for the comments! This is my new PE780D so it is embroidery only. I felt like it was close to being correct tension, but I really didn't have any idea on just how much top thread was to show on back. Anyone care to share what they have their top tension set on? My was on 00 to start with then I bumped it up to +3 that is once I found where to make that adjustment! boy do I have a learning curve with this touch screen figuring out where everything is! hopefully my new thread I ordered will be here today/tomorrow and I can play with more colors in a design and hopefully that will give me a better idea on tension. OH.... I was using Pellon Medium weight embroidery stablizer on a roll. SOOOO..... any suggestions on what stabilizer I shoud be trying is greatly appreciated. I will doing more work on quilts and purses I make. Not so much towels and such until I get way more comfortable using this machine.