Thanks for your replies! I'll try the different needles but the more I think about it, the more I figure it's the difference in the two threads. The Bottom Line is so thin and the Connecting Threads is very thick by comparison. It just may not be possible to even things out with those differences. Now I'll have to suspend my quilting while I order either the right color thread in the Bottom Line or maybe Aurifil. As far as I know, Bottom Line can't be found locally and Aurifil is only available in white or beige, no colors.