amazing what an English manual does for you. the needle fixed the stitch issue and I know what all the little knobs are now. I can change stitch length and foot pressure. She sews beautifully. and I fixed another issue. when I got her, the plate over the bobbin was missing..bought another but it would just fall off. would not lock in .. so after looking thru the manual, I see the little spring lever . and it was so flat in the machine, I did not even notice it. I added some up tension on it so it catches the slide plate and now it stays in place nicely. I even was able to identify all the accessories with it.. I am a happy camper now. she runs quietly and sews great. not a missed stitch... thanks everyone..