I don't have the tin lizzie but the hq16 but found out with mine if I thread the three upper thread guides incorrectly wind up with loop on back. I would definately thrown a fit all over the store if he told me come back next week. Probable would threaten to return machine for full refund. really makes them nervous when they see dollar signs flying out the window! WHen they work they are fantastic

Thanks for all of the feedback. DH and the kids are "hiding" because I told them I am now going to tackle the tension problem again. I'm going to take everything apart, re-thread, new bobbin, change bobbin case & start all over. Wish me luck!

BelloBoo, I wouldn't stop looking at Lizzies because of what I have been through. I decided on them because I heard thry were a good company and had good machines. I just happened to deal with a couple bad apples in the bunch. I think a lot of my problem is the dealer DH bought it from is in California and we are in Montana...and the only lizzie dealer in Montana is 100 miles away so it makes it difficult. I'm half tempted to contact the company and tell them I want to be a rep (after I figure out the issues with my own machine) so I can help others in the same situation. I find it hard to believe I am the only Lizzie owner in Montana who has ever had a issue with their machine and needed help!

I'm off to work on the tension! Wish me luck!

I have a Tin Lizzie 18 LS and had the same issue every time I set up a new project. I tried to problem solve by checking the timing (lots of effort and scary in case I could not get it back together properly) and ratcheting up the upper thread tension. Neither of these helped.

Turns out that with each new project I changed the needle. It is very important to get the needle in correctly and facing forward. Because the shank is totally round rather than flat like in my other machines, I had a really hard time getting it in the correct position. I could identify the side of the needle with the scarf (indent) but could not get the eye to line up properly. I spoke to my dealer and he said to use my jewelers needle nose pliers to hold the needle in place while I tightened the screw. This has worked well for me.

I hope this helps.

gzbird you are a much nicer person then I could be in your situation. You deserve to be quilting not fixing. LOL.

Breath in, breath out. Breath in, breath out.

Sorry, wish I could help, but sure someone here will be able to.

when I change my needle (HQ16) I use the one I take out and put it in the eye of the new one to hold it in place.

I don't have along arm yet. But a couple of friend do. One of my friends was having trouble with her stitching. Be loopy or railroad tracks.
My other friend said the problem friend one was having was she was moving her machine to fast on the craves. and she had different thread in the bobbin then in the tops.
Just something else to be sure is right.
Good luck on the hunt for the right information.

Hope you get it fix.

I had the same thing happen to me on my Lizzie. But it was my fault. I was forgeting to put presser foot back down before I started sewing. I love my Tin Lizzie.

Thank you everyone for your comments. We have no more tension problems! Woohoo! Don't ask me what the problem was. I took everything apart, changed thread, bobbins & holder, re-threaded and "Barney" is working like a charm! (yes, DH named the machine. LOL ) Now practice practice practice! I could whip around on my other little machine but I need to get the hang of this one! What I am "quilting" looks like my 5 year old did it! lol.