I like Guttermann thread (so does Nina). I just got some Organ Brand Needles, the special titanium coated ones for Christmas. They are supposed to stay sharp longer. I have pieced, embroidered and quilted with them and really like them. My dealer sells Bernina brand, Schmetz and Organ Titanium needles and I like them all. I do feel that it is the BSR that is sensitive rather than the machine (to the thickness) as I have seen the 440 QE sew animal fur pelts together with noooo problem. I do know that when I was doing FMQ with the BSR if my quilt basting threads got hung up on the edge of the sewing table, the weight of the quilt pulled or the quilt got backed up against the wall behind my sewing table, the BSR would make 1 stitch in the space of 2 a loooong stitch. I fixed that by moving to my large cutting table which supported most of the quilt on the back and left side and a folding TV tray on my left to hold the rest of what was in my lap. It worked like a charm. I would continue to work with this, but if it still doesn't work right, I would take it back to the dealers. I am sure they want you to be satisfied and will continue to work with you. If you can't get it 100% perhaps they will trade machines with you. An idea would be to take your quilt to the dealers and ask to use another machine on the floor like yours. If it works better on that machine then you know that there is a problem, if it does the same then it most likely is related to the quilt. Good Luck!