well someone told me the guide Im missing shouldn't be causing the problems I was having so back to the drawing bosrd and yay I got it to sewing! still wnt to get that part though but at least I'm getting decent stitches. the regular tension was off a little bit but mostly that tension dial on top- think the pressure for the foot?! that sucker had gotten turned all the way so no wonder i had problems1 this is really a nice machine- at least the gray model is - simple to pick the stitches. still need to get the stitch length loosened up - the thingy that tightens to hold the stitch that's chosen - it wont twist