i have had a low end Janome that I had no problems with other than I did have to have a leader/ender . My 8200 Horizon also prefers it with decorative stitches. Not needle picky or thread fussy. I bought a pack of 100 Organ needles for about $10 on Amazon and they're just great--90/14. The local dealers likes Schmetz but really the problem you're having sounds like the needle needs to take a bite of fabric.