I use either a universal or quilting--whichever happens to be in the machine.I wonder if your tension is off? Are you close to a dealer--maybe they could give you some tips. I've sewn probably a hundred yards or more without any problems. I made 24 robes a few Christmases ago, all out of fleece and have made 3 or 4 more since then. I'm sorry that something that should be easy isn't. I back almost all of my children quilts with fleece--I make a lot of them.