Thanks again for the great replies.
Honchey: I think my problem is the thread catching somewhere in the tension discs when I follow the shreaded thread backwards from the needle. I use a DirtDevil Kwik small vacuum for electronics and clean my bobbin area everyday. Can you elaborate a little on the thin ribbon suggestion--I think the tension discs are the first "down" place for thread right (not the place where the thread goes up, hooks, then goes down towards the needle.) I can see a disc-is this where I pull the thin ribbon through?
Sorry to ask so many questions and I will take my machine in as soon as I finish 2 baby quilts (commissions) that MUST be done by mid-July. My machine is overdue for it'ts check up--kind of like me and my Pap smear LOL.