I just got my Janome back from the shop and the tension was adjust to a different value that I have been using all along, that could have been a problem with the working of the machine. I wouldn't touch the tension until you try a scrap block and move it around a good deal. I know that is what I will be doing first with these new setting. I always work with where I am before moving things around. It seems like I never get back to where I started if I move things. Best of luck getting it straight.