The palm of your hand must always face the receiver/reader when you are fingerspelling. If your palm is facing your chest, then you are talking to yourself, and the receiver cannot read the word or letters you are signing.

In addition, you should never turn your hand away to look at it to make sure you have formed a letter correctly and then turn it back toward the receiver, as this can confuse the receiver. You could describe this situation as having half a conversation with yourself and the other half with the receiver. Simply remember that your palm should always face the receiver.