i love minkee as well, have never had any problems with it esp on my long arm, only bad thing is having to rip out stitches you dont want in there, you have to know which way it stretches, spary basting could work for you, alsew try a new needle, as sometimes when they are dull, they do tend to skip, you could also have a burr on your needle and not know it.
dont give up!!
katz