Karla...you have to use the correct foot along with the plate that covers up the feed dogs. Mine is called a "darning or embroidery" foot. It could be called a free motion foot or something similar. This foot will go up and down over the fabric, but will not go down so far that it will hold the fabric in place ( do you know what I mean?) You have to put the foot down lever down or you will end up with all those nasty bobbin thread (like you already found out).
Good luck..you can do it! (My hubby had to figure out the way to do it and show me :oops: Thank goodness he's so darn smart!)