you have gotten great advice here! I had no lessons with my first system, and cried many many tears! I had to change my attitude (I think that machine KNEW how frustrated I was! ) to thinking that each time I had an issue, and solved it, I was learning to trouble shoot. Also, as soon as I cried, I figured out a solution in about 15 mins. GRRR. That made me MAD...but I would try to make myself cry EARLIER! lolol I went thru a bad patch with tension. My bobbin winder died and when I got a diff one-POOF - end of tension issues. And that was after numerous calls to the tech guy. keep a notebook to jot down what you find out as you go along.