ITA with Prism to wipe your needle periodically with rubbing alcohol. I keep some of the individually packaged swabs in my sewing room, just for that sort of thing. Not a lot of alcohol on each and don;t have to worry about a spill from a bottle.
Also, consider changing your needle to something sharper than what you are currently using. Also, a larger needle. One or both, might be what you need to have the ability to "punch" thru the fusible and make a difference.