Sit in the middle of the floor and have a quick bawl!
This is probably a silly suggestion, but have you altered the gauge of the bobbin thread/checked the state of your needle/checked for burrs/had a drink?
Sincerely hope you find the problem and it goes away p.d.q.

Oh, ouch........this is what we all fear around this time of year...did you at least get your sister's beagle done first??? If it helps, I feel your stress, Laura!!!

I have a Brother machine also, and it is incredibly sensitive. I just got it back from the shop. I had cleaned it out thoroughly (or so I thought) and it still wouldn't work. I brought it in. They took out a magnifying glass (for real) and found a thread, less than 1/4" long, sitting underneath the bobbin carrier. Once that was removed, it sewed beautifully. Before then, it would only wrap threads around the bobbin and bunch up under there, ruining everything I was trying to fix. Try a magnifying glass, and remember that no thread is too small to cause problems. Good luck.

My heart goes out to you, as I'm a procrastinator and have been in this situation before.
Sketch or copy a photo of what you wish to give them, with promises to mail the gift when it's finished.
I'm sure you've blown out the bobbin case with compressed air.
Good luck.

Get your vacunm and clean it, get a new bobbin and needle, it will probably help!!!

So sorry. I know that is frustrating. We'll just all cry with you. hehehe.... You came to the right place to vent, cause we all understand. Hugs, Terre. Hope you are able to get it done soon.

Laura, sounds like an upper tension situation - you might try running a thicker thread through that area - just to see if you can get the thread loose. I am so sorry to hear of this - - at this stage of the game - but gift certificates work with adults, too. You can always give them a late gift, too.

Laura I took mine in just for a service and they found knotted thread in the 'take up mechanism' (above the needle where you run the thread). Maybe you just need to check in there. At this stage I am sure you will try everything. Good luck. Love Marg.

I'm so sorry you're machine is throwing a fit. I hate when that happens...I'd loan you mine if I was closer. Hugs and I'll send up a prayer for it to work itself out.