This is probably a stupid question, but do you have the little prong thingie over the screw that holds the needle in? I don't know how to explain what I am asking, but there is a forked 'arm' that USUALLY sticks out the right side of the walking foot (if you have the foot on the machine), and it 'hugs' the hand-screw that locks the needle in place. That arm moves up and down as you set and engages the walking foot. Maybe??????

Where are you in NC? I live in Winston-Salem and have daughters in Charlotte and Lenoir.