The reason for the birds nest is almost 100% because you are not threaded in the take up lever. That is the noice you hear too. I teach sewing lessons and if I hear that sound, I tell them they are not threaded right. If you have a mechanial, not a computerized machine you need to stop every time with the take up on top or you will come unthreaded at the needle and it comes unthreaded in the take up too. So always check the take up lever if you become unthreaded at any time while sewing. That should be a big help for you. Bernadette