Thanks for everyone’s knowledge. I had my wife pick up a pack of needles from the bernina dealer. I’m getting some decent stitches now with correct thread to needle. I was so flabbergasted by the thread breaking I was ready to give up.
as far as what I’m making my imagination is only limited by my skill at this moment. My first project will likely be seat covers for the golf cart at work. I could have probably done those covers on any home owner machine but not with the bigger thread.