Tension has nothing to do with the needle size requirement, but your thread size and density if your batting does. Best advice to any quilter....use a 90/14 topstitch needle. The topstitch has a larger eye and makes a slightly Iarger Sure, you need to check for lint and debris.....but skipped stitches means the top thread is not meeting up with the bobbin thread in time to lock. Change to a 90/14 topstitch needle and should not have any more problems. Happy quilting