Thank you everyone for your comments and advice. I do have a little bottle of the Roxannes' around here somewhere. And will get some big eye John James and other needles that were mentioned to try. It is my hexie quilt (my avatar) that I am handquilting. Did not have as much of a problem when I was stitching the hexie's together. Every so often I would change out my needle due to bending. My quilt top is LQS 100% cotton fabric, flannel backing, Quilters Dream Wool batting and embroidery floss, single strand, for the quilting. The needle goes through the sandwich with extreme ease. I am doing big stitches. I will try and loosen my sandwich up some more if possible. Thanks again. Love you guys!!