I've noticed the same with two LA's I use to use. Their work quality fell too low for me for the price. They have been quilting for others for over ten years. I think they are getting bored, no stamina, or simply can't see like they use to. I doubt the machine has anything to do with it unless the tension is messed up. One was letting her DH and DD do the quilting for her on many of the quilts. She said it was the machine doing the quilting so it didn't matter who ran the machine. I try to find newer LA to use. They put extra effort in their work and it shows.