Originally Posted by
FoggyButFocused
I would still replace the needle. Although it did not break, it may have bent ever so slightly.
I would clean the bobbin area really well. Make sure you get behind the bobbin case. I have had the tiniest of threads there and it throws everything off. I am also thinking the belt may not be seated properly.
I hope others chime in with their opinions. Keep working on it. You can do it!
I think you're absolutely right with your advice FBF.
The more I think about it, I'm now wondering about the noise. If something went bang, then something hit something else. The likeliest thing is that the OP was pulling the fabric ever so slightly or that the fabric got caught ever so slightly and the needle struck the hook, the needle plate or the bobbin case. If the needle bent, it may be getting caught on an edge of the needle hole in the needle plate, or perhaps on the opening of the bobbin case and that may be hanging up the machine on part of the cycle.
With luck all that may be needed is a replacement needle.