Thank you all for the suggestions. I need to check my needle and thread weight. I am terrible about changing the needle out. I do use a leader piece of fabric, but I had lost my word for it when I posted.

I used the hint posted here about making any throat plate a single hole one. It works perfectly. Also learned here how to set the default of my Brother machine to always default in the middle when the machine is turned on. It worked for my friend's Janome too.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...p-t284243.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xfq-GW88DsA

I agree too-use a small piece of fabric before you start your piecing and that should help. Also maybe a new needle.

start out sewing at the opposite end (no point)

I do several of the things some others have done. Sharp needle, leader strips, starching and holding on to the thread ends. All of these have been a big help to me.

If all else fails, try putting a light weight piece of paper under the triangle end, ripping it away when finished.

If all else fails, place your pieces on top of an ordinary sheet of tissue paper (like gift wrap). It tears away from a straight seam very easily if you are using it in the correct direction, so do a test tear each direction to see which way tears in an almost straight line.

As much as possible even up the fabric with the feed dogs, both of them. I've moved my needle over so I can put the fabric over both feed dogs. I hope that makes sense.

I always use leaders and enders. 2 in squares of cloth to put on end, and then cut thread and leave it under foot then butt new piece under foot and sew till end and butt another one on to start again,Unless i am chain stitching then i use one to start and one to stop and thats it cmarascia. I keep a small jar by machine for the small pieces

The solution I use most - there are several - is to position the needle at least an 1/8th of an inch from the edge of the fabrics your are piecing.

You can also use what is called a 'leader' - just a small scrap of two fabrics that you put under the needle - and start your sewing on that. When you reach the end of the leader, do not lift the foot, just place the triangle you are piecing near it and start sewing. It's really just an adaptation of the chain piecing technique.

Others will chime in with even more solutions. Quilters are a resourceful bunch of people.