A BIG hearty thank you everyone!
Yes, MTS, I am fortunate to have the new 820s with BSR (much to the disaster of my billfold!). Right after I got it, they had to replace the BSR spring with a heavy duty spring which came from the factory. Several in our area who got the same machine had this happen to theirs too.
Thanks for the hint gramalama9; I was unaware of a Metallica needle. I will call the Bernina shop and see if they can send me some so I will not have to drive very far. In the meantime, I will insert a top-stitching needle since it has a larger and more round eye and see if that works.
As for Gutterman threads, yes I use them exclusively but only for piecing. They seem to narrow for quilting. Perhaps I am trying to compare too much as if a piece was hand quilted.
While I have been free motion quilting for a few years, I never have liked the appearance of the threads, even on my older drop-the-feed-dog method for meandering. Bottom Line, SO Fine, Aurifil and Permacore. Thanks for the suggestions. Next time I am at a shop, I will check them out.
Now are we talking 100% cotton here or are these poly threads?
Thanks again everyone.