I can't figure out which way to put it in. I bought a Janome machine, and the manual is all in English. The needle either goes in crooked or doesn't pick up the thread at all. Is there some kind of trick to it?
A hundred percent, a photo from your machine's manual or a YouTube video for your specific model will help - every manufacturer has their own quirks. But there are universal rules that work almost everywhere.
On Janome, the needle goes into the needle clamp (that's the metal clip at the top of the machine) with the flat side facing backward or to the side, depending on the model. First, loosen the screw that holds the needle, raise the presser foot all the way up (this is important - when the foot is raised, the thread passage opens), then carefully insert the needle all the way in so it sits snugly in the clamp. Usually you'll hear a slight click or snap. Then tighten the screw. Check if the needle has any bends or chips - if it's been used before or dropped, it's better to replace it.
If the needle goes in crooked or the machine isn't catching the thread, first double-check the orientation (flat side facing the right direction), then make sure the foot was raised when you inserted it. It could also be that the needle is just dull or low-quality - try a new one. And don't forget to rethread after changing the needle; sometimes if the needle's oriented wrong, the thread just won't be caught by the mechanism.
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