if you pull too much on the fabric, the needle gets pulled too and then, being pulled, it hits the plate instead of going through the hole in the plate. the only answer to this problem is the old one--practice practice practice. You want to put your foot to the metal but not so fast with your hands. It is hard at first but does get easier. It has almost nothing to do with thread or needle size, sadly, just your pulling on it. (ask me how I know--LOL)