QUiltE....my machine was skipping stitches but I though it was because I was crossing bulky seams, then it started doing it on two layers. I cleaned, I changed, I did every logical thing I could think of and then I remembered someone on QB saying that they ran dental floss through their tension wheels..I guess that's what they are called..as part of their cleaning process. Yup...it worked. I had the same problem starting a couple of days ago and the dental floss was the answer again. I guess my sewing just causes the dust to fly! I don't cover it when I'm not sewing and I know that that would probably help too. New flooring would be the best solution. The carpet in this house is close to 30 years old and my DH doesn't believe in shampooing it.