Hi! I have a consistent problem with my first stitches, particularly when sewing forward–reverse–forward.

This happens with different fabrics, needles, threads, and projects. Since I’m still a beginner, I thought I would deal with it later, but now I have to sew a project where both sides will be visible, so I really need to figure out how to solve this.

**The setup:** Brother FS60x, apple leather (it is not sticky), Gütermann topstitch thread, and a jeans needle.

**Stitch C** — forward only, for reference. No issues.

**Stitch B** — a sample showing the actual problem: the stitches become messy when I reinforce the beginning with backstitching.

**Stitch A** — I tried starting in the middle of the seam, sewing a few stitches forward, and then sewing in reverse all the way up. ChatGPT suggested doing this to identify the problem, but didn’t help further. I noticed that the thread tails are being caught and pulled up to the front, but I don’t know whether this is normal.

The first picture shows the back, and the second shows the front.

I’ve already tried all the basic solutions: holding the thread tails at the beginning, checking the threading and tension, starting slowly, etc., so I’m a bit stuck at the moment.

I’d be very grateful for any advice on how to solve this. I’m sewing a cover for a Traveler’s Journal as a gift for a friend, and I really want it to look neat on both sides.

Nests/mess in the back