It sounds like the thread isn't in the spring on the left hand side of the tension knob. There are two hooks, (one is a hook and one is a hook) and you have to pull the thread way over to the right to get it in. It's easy to misthread, until you get used to doing it. There is a learning curve for threading this model correctly, but you'll get it. If it isn't threaded into both hooks correctly, you can do straight sewing, but not FMQ, or zig zag, etc.