Roberta, I really hate this for you. Can you check to see if the needle is bent? If so do you have a new needle to put in? I would also take out the bobbin case and lower the needle to the lowest position while looking into the area where the bobbin case belongs. You should be able to see all of the eye of the needle while it is in the lowest position. But no more - no needle above the eye should be showing. If you can't see all of the needle eye, you will need to lower the needle position. On a featherweight I don't know how to do this, but you might be able to find a link on the internet to show how to time a sewing machine. Wish I could be of more help.