I just got my Pfaff 1200 as well and luckily I have not encountered these problems to any any great extent. I am using the needle that came in the machine and the same cone thread that I use on my serger, not expensive but it is 100% cotton and I too use the same thread in the bobbin as on top. Winding the bobbins should be no problem just start the thread through the hole in the bobbin and put it on the bobbin winder. My dealer also told me that I would have fewer problems if I ensured that the quilt was sitting perfectly level in the frame (are your feed and take-up rails sitting level with each other and level from one end to the other). Hope you find the answer and can get back to quilting.