Well, there were a lot of different companies out there making boxes. I've not seen the one you show, so I'm guessing that it's more modern than those I'm most familiar with. Such things show up on the internet auction and sale sites pretty regularly, so I think that there's a good chance that you'll be able to find one. Annie

You adjusted something by mistake when you had it apart. Did you lower the feed dogs? Look at the needle plate are the teeth sticking up past the plate or level with it. The material won't feed through if the feed dogs are down. Look in your manual. It should have how to lower and raise the feed dogs. Whoops I reread your post again and they are up--well I don't know what to say As for the tension--could you have disconnected the pressure foot rod from the tension somehow. I don't think this is a home repair. I have had machines apart and I simply don't know. I really don't think it would be that much to take it in and have it repaired. If it worked fine before, it is just a matter of connecting things right. Could you borrow or rent a machine to finish your dress?

If your machine is running slow it could be that the foot control needs servicing or replacing or that the carbon brushes on the motor are worn and in need of replacing. Replacing carbon brushes is not unusual and I have done it myself with different motors, including my Bernina. A new foot control will run somewhere about $30 and the brushes should be about $15. The brushes are easy enough to change yourself if you are at all inclined to do such. I order from an online source. I would shy away from any modern Singer and look to some of the others makes. Singer has allowed that name to be slapped on many totally unworthy machines. It carries a lot marketing weight. The old Singers from way back when were good machines. That is no longer true. Keep it simple with a mechanical model. That is the only way I roll anymore. Why complicate life? I seriously doubt that many people even use the decorative stitches on their machine very often,whether the machine is mechanical or computerized.. After a lifetime of sewing I know that I have seldom employed that feature on any machine that I have used. I have never found them to be very attractive or useful. Good solid function is the best thing to have. . Good luck. It has become difficult to buy some things right now. If you like your machine and dont really want a new one, you might consider the possibility that it is one of those factors that is causing it to run sluggish. Both are relatively inexpensive to fix. You can always buy and try a new foot control. If you are not mechanically inclined you might not want to change the brushes yourself. It is not difficult but can seem to be daunting if you are not of that mind. Vacuums also have these carbon brushes as do power hand tools and fan motors. Have you noticed any black dust around the motor on your machine, or any sparking around the motor? That is an indication that the carbon brushes are wearing down. It looks like the motor is behind those little vents on the inside of your sewing area. Oiling won't help with either of those problems. It is likely sluggish because it is not getting enough power to turn the motor. If something were preventing the hand wheel from turning or a belt was loose, that would be obvious. It sounds as if the motor is not getting the power it needs and is very likely to be either the carbon brushes or the controller. Of course it could be the capacitor on the motor, but that is also easy to change. Parts are not terribly difficult to find. The expensive part is usually the time and labor. You are paying for the knowledge and experience and the tool belt of the service person, as expected if you employ them to fix it.

OMG! Artemis, if you decide you want to get rid of that machine (and it works), let me know. I bought one when I was still in HS & paid $18/mo. Mine had the cams for all the decorative stitches & I paid a whopping $300+ back then. I sewed on it practically every day. That is the best machine I've ever had. I could sew upholstery fabric without a problem. I burned up the foot pedal & decided to get a new machine. I wasn't pleased with it, but used it for a few years. One day I decided to have my Singer fixed. When I was sewing with it, my daughter came out of her room & said, "I remember that sound". After that, I had it fixed so many times that it couldn't be fixed anymore. I literally wore it out! I still have it tho. I saw on a website, but can't remember where, that people are actually collecting those machines. Those machines lasted so long & that's why Singer went to plastic machines so they would wear out. You'll love it. I had the buttonhole attachment that made wonderful buttonholes. I haven't been able to make a good buttonhole since then now that you have to zig zag for awhile & turn back, etc.