Originally Posted by
WIChix
started sewing samples (diagonal seams to join 2.5" squares to 2.5" strips)
Aack! What am I missing? (A heartfelt thank you for your help!)
As ArchaicArcane said, hold the thread tails or use a scrap or what Bonnie K. Hunter calls Leaders & Enders. Picture it, you are beginning a seam without fabric between the feed dogs and presser foot. That little point where your needle is working is getting jammed down into your bobbin area. I've always worked with older machines so that holding the thread tails is second nature.