Originally Posted by
kat13
Went back to the 90/ ballpoint
Why are you using a ballpoint?? Those are designed for knit fabrics and are rounded so the tip pushes between threads. This might be contributing to the problem, especially if the tighter woven fabric is impeding the timing of the needle as it pushes through.
When I'm FMQ on my domestic, I use a 16 or 18 topstitch. A topstitch needle has a larger eye and a longer scarf. The scarf is an indentation in the needle that the thread tucks into, which protects the thread from the friction that occurs as the needle moves in and out of the fabric.