I also use gene washers...it works great...makes a huge difference preventing that issue. Another thing I do is cover the feeddogs, keep them up...I use the slider but you can use a business card or some people here use oven liners. I bought one yesterday but have not used it yet.

It's happened to me too at the beginning of FMQ, and in my case it was because I didn't have the quilting presser foot down even though I was holding the two threads. Hope that's all it is in your case.

It was the presser foot. I just tried it again, and while my lines are still horrible, my threads stayed where they were supposed to. Thank you!!

I love a story with a happy ending :-)

I suffered with this until I accidentally found out you have to put thumb pressure on the bobbin when inserting it and the thread tail, or it won't catch on the invisible "hook". Went thru lots of thread and two trips to the technician before she thought to mention it.

When ever I forget to put the presser foot down, my machine beeps at me!!! and will not move

This has happened to me lots of times, and it is usually t hat I don't have the presser foot down. Try that, but also like someone else suggested hold on to the thread when you first start

I am just starting to learn the FMQ. It will definitely be A LOT of practice....I was playing around with a scrap piece again yesterday and after about 30 minutes of frustration....I discovered that you have to put the presser foot DOWN. It made a BIG difference.....but I still need a lot of practice to master this skill. I have watched a ton of videos and I can't remember hearing that little bit of very important info??

Tartan, thanks so much for sharing this info. Just printed off those little stick figures for my own reference. This board is the best!

You also have to lower the presser foot or , if you have a Pfaff, place the presser foot lever half way between up and down.