thanks Miriam- the part i'm missing is up on the top - not the tension dial thing on the front. hadnt t hought about timing but was hoping the problem is with the threading not being right...the machine wasn't used much at all - I remember my mom having it then she went to nursing school then work and sewing just didn't fit into her plans but she kept the machine. I could kick myself for not pulling it out when I was interested in sewing myself- but then she never thought it was a good machine - I remember once looking on ebay and the ones there were free if you pay shippinig- now it seems to be more popular. I'm hoping it will work because i like the simplicity of it- there's straight stithch and maybe 5 zig zag settings, l,c,r needle positions, stitch length and reverse - pretty simple and nonintimidating looking...but it's got to work to be simple!