Thank you so much for this info. I definitely will ck. into stronger needles when I get to town.

Because we restore vintage machines we get a lot of questions like this. Quality and type of needle used has a profound impact. Go to Schmetzneedles.com for a guide.
Tension set too high can also put tork on the thread and needle especially in free motion. Many times free motion can be done with a presser foot attached and that helps stablized the pull and drag of the thread through the fabric from side to side etc.
Another good thing to look up is sewing Machine trouble shooting on the web- there are many places that give you a comprehensive list. If you're able to do a straight stitch with the machine, more likely then not it is something to do with your motion and or tension. You really don't realize how much pressure is being exerted against the needle when you free motion.

I have FMQ for years and I don't remember ever breaking a needle. Do you have a friend that could come over and look @ your machine to see if they can figure out what is happening? :oops:

I agree with meemersmom

Does your machine have a threader? If so, make sure when using it that the needle is not hitting the plate. My threader (on my Viking Sapphire) was bending my needle just enough to have the needle hit the plate. In one evening I broke over a dozen needles. It would be ok for about 8-15 stitches and then break. Here the maintenance person at the dealers shop had put in a new threader (without my asking for it as it was working just fine when I took the machine in to them) and he put it in sideways or something. I had another one put in and needles quit breaking.

could be drag with a big heavy quilt. are your dog feeds down?

Great idea to ck. Schmetz needle site. Thanks for that suggestion.

I use size 14 needles all the time, needles only break if I pull when the needle is down.

No, I don't use my needle threader since I haven't taken the time to figure out how. Thankfully I can see well enough to thread the needle. The only other time I've had a prob. you all solved it by letting me know I was going through too many thicknesses. I'm so puzzled since I've done other FM previously without breaking needles but it started all of a sudden.
You've all made suggestions that I'm going to try very soon. It's too hot to work out in my little shop since it's 100 deg. I have a window AC but it can't keep up sometimes. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

PatG,
The first thing my Husqvarna Viking Dealer told me was that Wal-Mart Needles weren't to be used with the Designer I USB & I should use Schmetz. After using 80s to hem Denim I kept breaking needles, went back in & she told me to use 90s or 100s for Denim. They are now carrying Organ Needles that work well too, and are a better value. FMQing is a delicate maneuver, & if one entity is off even a tad, it creates problems. I keep an array of Needle sizes, as I have a Small Home Sewing Business & never know what customers will bring me.

Google fabric type to find out the size needle you need for different fabrics, then try the next size needle when FMQing.

You mention that your Dealer carries 100 needles for $50, but what brand are they? Hope this helps.

It is Schmetz needles I buy at Wal Mart. The ones I bought at my LQS in bulk are also Schmetz. I wouldn't have taken a risk with some unknown brand.
I'm going to get stronger needles as you suggested as soon as I go to town again. Thanks so much for your help.

I have had the same problem and finally took my machine in for a tune up. What a difference it made. I had struggled through several quilts with broken needles, skipped stitches, and breaking threads. Everytime I would think I had the problem figured out, I would encounter another problem. Sure wish I had just taken it in sooner. Now I can even use those thread brands that I would never have tried before. Maybe it is just time for a tune up for your machine also.

I had it serviced in Aug. I'm just reassured to hear that I'm not the only one with the prob. of breaking needles.

Perhaps the shaft has gotten bent some way. Just hate to see you struggle with this like I did. My needle threader was also bent and I know you said you did not use it, but perhaps it is not lining up properly if it is hitting the plate.

Try everything the board members mentioned. If nothing works, it's time for your machine to go to the hospital! Sometimes band-aids just don't work! Good luck!

I also had a bent shaft that caused the needle to break. . The shaft is the size of a straw and to bend it would take a lot of force. How it got bent in the first place, I have no idea

I was breaking needles left and right. I finally took my machine to a repair shop.It sems that the timing was off ?
It works great now!!!!

I had a problem with my needle last week when doing FM. I happened to be in a class and the instructor tried. Turned out I had a very small nick - burr - in the plate where the needle goes down - sorry not good at the correct name for parts of the macine. Anyway, I could straight stich fine, but when the feed dog? was lowered for FM the needlethread would catch on the burr which was only exposed when FM. I remembered I had broken a needle a week or two before and I believe that was the source of the burr. Just needs to be fled smooth.