I debated whether to post this in Crafts or Electronics. I hope I made the right decision.

I bought a sewing machine a couple of years ago. I went to one lesson and then got busy with school and then the lessons were no longer offered (they were free at the library)

Years pass and I figured I would try it out. Let me tell you I had hell of a time. Long story short about 3 hours later I rewatched a video and noticed ONE thing that I MIGHT have been doing wrong. So I started again and it wasn't working out. Again. And then my needle just refused to work. I took out the fabric and all the thread and it just won't go up and down. The knob doesn't work either.

Eventually, I got the hand knob to work, but there definitely is resistance and I don'
T want to make it worse.

Any ideas? I did a quick Google search and I read that it could be "lint" which I take as pieces of thread in the system.

This is practically a brand new machine and I really don't want to put money into repairs

Stake out the bobbin to check for a thread back up and re-thread

I did that as well. I can't find any sign of any thread. I don't have a screwdriver short enough to take out one of the two screws as the moment and so if there is more thread under there somewhere, I don't know. But if people think that is most likely the prob, then I will go out and get a screwdriver tomorrow. I am just nervous about taking it apart but it will probably be fine