I just got a new machine it's a brother CI6000...i think I'm not at home. Anyways that happened to me and I tried everything and then looked in the manual and found my issue, my machine is picky about thread. I use coats and clark all purpose to piece and on my old brother I used it to quilt small projects and quilts. The new machine it has to be 100% cotton for the FMQ. Have you made sure your thread matches your matieral. Cotton with cotton? Hope this helps..