Mom3,
There must be a half dozen or more ways to back tack a piece. I have my favorite and use it when ever I use a machine w/o a back tack feature. I sew a few stitches, stop, raise the needle, lift the foot and pull the fabric back towards me, lower the foot and sew.
It's easier to do that to describe.
I haven't tried the method you mentioned yet. I should.
Joe