Make sure your pressure foot lever is down. Then move the fabric a little. I have only started and am still practicing, but I too pulled the bobbin thread up to top. Hold both threads as you bring sewing. My machine doesn't pick up bobbin thread when I try to stitch in place to lock the stitches. But start moving the fabric, and the stitches work fine. You might have tried moving the fabric, so this might be of NO Help!!! Someone mentioned a walking foot. My understanding is you do NOT use it for FMQ, but works great for doing straight line machine quilting, but not for the free motion quilting. BTW the machine I have been using is a Singer from the 70's. Ready to get back to use my Pfaff!