Did you use Heat and Bond or Heat and Bond Lite? The original tends to make your needles sticky and can cause issues, like breaking, shredding thread, etc. I buy my needles in bulk, 100 at a time, for $14 (now her ad says this is a sale price--guess you can tell it's been a while since I ordered any!) from www.ruthiesnotions.com. The brand is Orange, but they are identical to the Organ needles. There are several online places that sell needles in bulk. I use them in both my Brother embroidery machines, my serger and my Pfaff sewing machine with no problems. Even at her non-sale price of $28 is only 28 cents a needle.
When I ordered, I got a box of size 11 and a box of size 14.