per redpurselady's response, the small silver knob on the big black wheel needs to be turned forward to disengage the needle for bobbin winding. when i got my featherweight, the small silver knob was "stuck" back -- and the repair man i purchased it from used a rubber gripper (like to open tight jar lids) to eventually move the silver knob forward and release the needle from movement. he told me to not "tighten" that silver knob when i changed its position. good luck :)