I feel your frustration. I used to break needles just doing regular sewing until a friend told me to sew very slowly over pins. Sewing slowing gives the needle a chance to adjust for the pin. This is for regular sewing. With FM quilting, I think sewing over pins will never work due to the speed of the moving needle. I ordered special hoops from Creative Feet to FM. Haven't received them yet, but they are suppose to eliminate the need for pinning. Does anyone on this broad have these special hoops? If so, what do you think of them?