Vpd...I have been doing the same thing with the thread. I hold the piece with my right and then crane my left arm around and hold the thread and hand crank... Im not going to lie, between that crane maneuver, holding the material, and still having a clutch motor to contend with, I am in the danger zone. There were a few times I thought I was going to sew right in to my thumb. I had been backing the foot up to lock but I am binding the bobbin so I will start using your needle spin method. There has got to be something we're missing here.
Tejas... So you are using it like a hitch?