Originally Posted by ghostrider
When the foot is down, the tension discs are engaged and you are putting undue stress on the thread and the discs when you pull it to thread the needle. This is true for any sewing machine. I think your repair guy's explanation is right on and you should listen to him. I never thread machines with the foot down...it's like pushing a car with the brakes on. :D
An additional tidbit, when you take your spool off of your machine cut the thread ( by spool) and pull the thread throug the tension discs. I always would grab the spool and pull the thread out... I was told that this will harm the tension on my bedbugs