Yes, as others have said your needle is too small. Use a Topstitch needle, size 80/12 or 90/14 w/ Connecting Threads Essential thread. Essential thread is linty, so as long as you know that and clean more frequently, it should still work for you. Otherwise you could try threads from Superior. They have choices in poly, cotton, trilobal polyester and silk. Plus they have different weights in those choices as well. They always tell you what size needle to use with their threads.