Originally Posted by ThreadHead

If it's just the first few stitches that get all mucked up, it is probably the machine eating the thread.
I took a 1 inch piece of sticky back velcro, using the loop side , stuck it on the back of the machine right behind the presser foot. Pull both threads back and into the loops. This holds the thread like a third hand. I've gotten used to shoving the thread back at the end of the seam so it's ready when I start sewing again. Syl