The needle does go in hard sometimes. Turn the thumbscrew a little more and wiggle the needle until it seats. The flat side goes to the right. My 301 sews fine with a Schmetz needle, but prefers a Singer for FMQ. Go figure. This is not a high tech machine and shouldn't be fussy. I just use Singer needles all the time for her. I found some for $1.99 for 11 needles at my LQS.