Mine will do the samething sometimes. I have to take the bottom case out and clean there. Sometimes thread will be there.
Not a good way to start your week. Hope it's a quick fix and you have both your machines up and running soon. i guess when the first one had a tantrum the other machine decided to have one too!
Bev
Cutos to having your chores done so early. As for your birdsnest, sometimes hurrying you may have put the top thread or bobbin incorrectly. Try rethreading both and trying again.? Goodluck