Hello Pam,
If the needle won't pick up the thread these are the most common causes, definitely go through these one by one and you will find you will cure the problem.
Make sure the needle is not bent or blunt or has a burr on the end, make sure you have the needle in the correct way round, make sure the needle goes all the way up the needle bar, make sure you have threaded the machine properly, the needle only has to be a fraction bent and it will be far enough away from for the hook to miss the pick up.
Ken
drivewithken@blueyonder.co.uk
July 2007