I use nothing smaller than a 18. I think your needle is too small. And get the German brand of needles--ask your dealer what they recommend.
[
When I loosen the tension enough that the thread will not break, then I have loose thread on the underside of the quilt and the stitches are too loose to hold. I do have to use the same thread in the bobbin that I use on top. I just put in a new quilting needle this morning with a very large eye hoping that the thread would not break or shred but it still did. The needle was Fons & Porter Quilter's Decorative Thread Needles Size l4/90.[/quote]