Thanks so much for the ideas.
Re thread breaking: I have a Husqvarna Viking 870 Quilt machine and it does all the tension regulating automatically. Actually, it does just about everything automatically except the dishes and the laundry. :lol:
I fear it is my ineptness and lack if experience that is the culprit. The lady at the fabric store told me I need to learn to sew at a constant speed. Back to the practice sessions for me! :evil: