Thank you for responding! and giving me some encouragement. What brand of needles do you use? My machine is so fussy and stores here are closed that is another dilemma. I just finished an embroidery project and needed to switch to make some quilt squares. changed a new needle, changed thread-which I have used before, with no problems and cleaned machine. Someone said even a new needle can be not good. Topaz is in time out and I will look again at it and redo everything and keep my fingers crossed. From what I have gathered, there is no one locally who can fix it, and it would be a drive to get it fixed. My DH says just buy a new machine. oh my goodness. I just want it fixed so I can get on with my projects.