I had the same problem with the bobbin winding. For a couple years I managed by pressing thread between thumb and forefinger. Then I reread the manual and watched videos, and tried pulling both ends of the thread to engage it under the tension screw - no help. Last week, though, I got out the screwdriver and tightened the tension screw that the bobbin feeds under. I had to tighten it quite a bit, but all's well now.
I also had an issue with free motion quilting using the skimming feet that come with the machine. I was getting skipped stitches, especially when going over bulky seams. I bought a bouncy darning foot, and that solved the problem.