SewingPup, funny to read you went with the APQS made in Carroll, IA as that's where I live. I compared their APQS with Innova and for the money, I went with the Innova which my dealer is up in MN, your direction, sort of funny when you think about it. My Innova will take any thread I throw at it including embroidery threads and metallics. I had them add the upgraded tension system so I rarely have to adjust the upper tension at all and I use Jamie's way of checking my bobbin tension. Just thought I'd throw that out at you. Glad you like your APQS and you now have a dealer in your town. Mine has moved closer to downtown now and I think I went into their shop once in the 12 years I've lived here.