Your pictures are probably too big. If you don't have a resize in your photo program, send the picture to 'Paint' on the computer and resize it there.
I can't see where you are talking about. The thread path is across the top of the machine to the thread guide on the top front, down through the center of the tension disks from the right to the left, catching the spring and then left to the large hook, under it and up to the thread guide on the take up lever. After threading the take up lever go down bypassing that large hook (stay left) to the thread guide above the needle and through the needle, probably L to R, but it could be front to back. Make sure the needle is in correctly and you should be in business. You don't open the machine to thread it, only clean it.
Last edited by irishrose; 03-26-2013 at 12:37 PM.