Ok, I have two tops sandwiched ready to be handquilted... have a moment or two this morning so I thought I'd get started... do needles get 'dry rot?' Seriously, I just broke three needles from the same package that I've had for about three years now... OR could it be my fabric? I used the same kind I always have - I'm doing EVERYTHING exactly like I always do - it's a bit discombobulating to say the least!!