Be sure the needle is in properly. I have any old machine that would not pick up the bobbin thread. I fretted for months over that. I called the repairman to make an appointment and he told me to check my needle. The needles for this machine is round on the top. I didn't know that there is a right way and wrong way to put it in. There is. This machine the groove faces left. I changed the needle and the machine is good as new. I didn't have to pay for a service call, either.