thanks for all the suggestions, will try them all one at a time and see what works. it is so much fun to use when it is working and I was so excited to quilt this big quilt today but now am taking a break until morning when I am fresh and not frustrated. keep the ideas coming, hopefully one or some of them will work. I know people love this machine when it works for them.

Hi Ann, I was excited to hear from you as I am of Irish descent and visited there in 2008 and can't wait to go back.

Possible suggestions:
Try rethreading the machine and bobbin. Clean with each bobbin or so. I've had lint build up under the plate and cause problems too.
Maybe different thread or larger needle, a top stitch needle works well-larger eye and stronger needle.
Machine need oiled often, I oil it every 2-3 bobbin changes.
How much tension on the quilt, should be able to grab the quilt on top, if you poke finger up from underneath.
Once take-up bar get fuller, raise it up so at least finger thickness between roll and bed of the machine.
Are you using a stitch regulator? If not try to keep and even speed.
Good luck, hope something helps. Sometimes it works after I walk away for a while, maybe we both just need a rest!!

I tried going slower and slowed down so much that I couldn't really free motion anymore, so thanks for that tip. I will try each one that I read and hopefully something will click. I will keep trying but it sure gets frustrating.

Thanks, haven't tried oiling it, so that will be first thing in the morning and see if that does it.

Hi. Welcome. Check to make sure there is no small lint or thread under your bobbin. Clean out the case and thread it again. That might help.

I had a PFAFF grand quilter, where is your thread breaking? If it is at the needle, make sure the needle is inserted correctly. Try another needle. Could be the tension is to tight or the quilt is stretched to tight. Is the backing stretched to tight? If the thread is breaking above the tension guide - is there a rough or sharp spot in the thread guides. Are you using the same thread as you used in the other quilt and same bobbin thread. Does you thread pull easy after the machine is threaded?

I know it is so frustration - been there done that - didn't like it. Let me know if you get it figured out.

Hi and welcome from NE Ohio.

Another thought - is your thread feeding off your spool evenly - is it catching - do you need to use a net on your spool of thread. After the machine is threading pull on the thread and watch it feed from the spool - is it tugging - is the tension even at all times.

Hope this helps.

And maybe loosen the tension (rollers and clamps) on the quilt.