I'm so sorry you've had a bad experience. I use June Tailor from Wal-mart. The worst experience I have had is getting a good layer of batting fluff on my arms from pulling apart and re-sticking. I've never had a gummed up needle and it has always washed out.
Are you certain you used a washable type? There are other types out there and they are often on the shelves near the type for quilting.