I also hit the plastic oval on FM foot and broke the needle and put a hole in the plastic( good thing it was not my finger!). I think this was a freaky move on my part since I some how must have moved the fabric and foot the wrong way at the wrong time! I contuinue to use this same foot with the larger hole and have no other problems. I think that is may have been a wrong move on your part ( no blame intended) so keep on using this foot and just be more careful. I know that I am.