Originally Posted by
blueheavenfla
Perhaps a few drops (or a vertical line) of the silicone type lubricant which I believe is called Sewer's Aid on your thread might help. It may give a touch of lubrication to your upper tension and ease the passage of the thread.
This is a good point, I hadn't even considered it. Your thread might be dry. Sharon Schamber dunks her cones in mineral oil. I have a couple of friends with longarms who have tried this and report that yes, it does work and no, it doesn't leave oil spots on your quilt (as long as you use the correct oil, pharmaceutical grade mineral oil).