my old Gimbels sewing machine doesn't stitch?

Hello Michele,
If the needle is not picking up the thread chances are either the needle is blunt, bent or in the wrong way round, a simple thing like that will stop the needle from picking up the thread because the eye will be too far away from the hook, try that first, make sure the needle is in the correct way round.
Ken

drivewithken@blueyonder.co.uk
August 2007