Do you have the correct size of needle for your thread? If the needle eye is too small for the thread you are using, you will break your thread constantly. If you have PBS in your area, check out Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting series #2100,episode #2106,Fabulous Free Motion with Eric Drexler. He did a great job of explaining about needles. If it is playing in your area, you might want to watch it. It might be helpful.