Sharon, try starting sewing on a folded piece of fabric, let that run through and then after a couploe of stitches "in the air" put in the pieces you want to sew together. You should also run off onto this scrap of fabric. I think this will make your sewing easier, and more fun, no more bird's nests underneith. I believe that there is a tutorial here about chain piecing that could help you with this problem.