I have three Janomes and they recommend they get servieced once a year, that being said, however i don't do that because they are very dependable machines. But since you have owned this one for 12 yrs it might be to your best interest to take it in and have the service person check it all out. My emb. machines (2) get serviced about every three yrs and yet I have never had my model 3500 service at all. Its due!!!