Hi quiltjoey If i am understanding you I think your problem may be as simple as holding your top and bobbin threads when you start sewing. you know put the fabric under the pressuer foot have the two threads going toward the back and hold them down with one hand. and do a few stitches. About the turning the wheel and going up and down that works also, also i just learned this if you have a throat plate with just a little hole in it use that if you are doing straight stitching or any sewing that the needle is in center possision. I have just found out that with the newer computerized machine like the one I just got they have told me to NEVER NEVER turn the wheel by hand again the computerized machines do not like it. Hope this helps yippie