Just bring your bobbin thread up to the top of the quilt when piecing. No bird nests! My old mechanical "New Home" is very particular about thread floating around under the fabric when I start stitching, and bringing the bobbin thread up helped that and prevents bird nests.

I always use a small patch of fabric to stitch my first few stitches, they are referred to as "leaders and enders" My Bernina likes to create a little mess when I start sewing, but not so much when ending. I never have a problem with little jams or nests then....and it's a great way to use up bit of scraps.

I don't know if it is just me,but I find if Ihold back on the threads when I start out I won't have birds nest

I always bring up the bottom thread to the top and that stops the problem. Merry Christmas all!

Also, if you can get and afford ( though its not too expensive) a single needle plate for your machine. I bought one of the for my old machine, mostly because I had run out of other accessories to buy, but LOVE it! When I got my new machine, that was the first non-included accessory I bought. It keeps the fabric and threads from being pulled down at the beginning of the seam, and I wouldn't piece without it!!

Once I started doing this I never had a bird's nest again.

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

At the end of each seam stitched, if you always end with your needle up, you won't have this bunching of threads when you start the next seam. I always hold my thread if it is a single seam and not chain stitched. Ending up with the needle up before you pull your fabric out will work really well on older machines like the FW.