Originally Posted by QuiltnLady1

The Janome machines (don't know about other brands) have a single hole stitch plate where the needle can only be placed in the center position. This keeps the machine (and the wide feed dogs) from eating fabric when you are piecing -- especially at the beginning. You can also use a scrap of fabric to start sewing on before you start piecing (these are variously called sew-ons, sew-offs or leaders and enders.