I find that you "beat them down with a mallet or hammer" works for me.

Universal bad or good? I don't know what a universal point needle is, I know of ball point and sharp. The easiest way to stop the fabric grab is to start about 1/4 from the edge, then back stitch. Works for me and takes less time then using a leader

I hold both the top and bobbin thread taut when I first start piecing. It keeps the fabric from being grabbed by the feed dogs!

I can't imagine not using the leader/end scrap of fabric when stitching. I think it saves thread and time. I have two squares in use every time I sew. Once you become used to using these little gems, you'll be surprised at how much thicker your hair grows! LOL

I agree - if you have one use it. I actually sold machines for a living and we always suggested to our quilters to use the single needle hole plate ( I never used mine). Recently using my older Pfaff, I had the need to do many HSTs and was having the same problem with the edge being sucked down into the feed dogs. Finally switched to the single hole plate and the change was remarkable.

Besides using leaders, small pieces of fabric, that are used to sew first before piecing. Also using a throat plate with only one hole can help as well.

I use leaders and enders. if I use my single hole plate I just know I'll forget it's there, use a zig zag, and throw my machine's timing all out of whack.

A universal needle is between a ballpoint and a sharp.

Not as pointy as a sharp and not as rounded as a ballpoint.

Here is an article by Bonnie Hunter on using leaders and enders:

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2005/...-and-hows.html

I agree with pocoellie about using the single needle hole plate. The local quilt shop did a demo for me with the single hole plate vs. the open hole plate I used for decorative stitching. No more points getting stuck in my machine. I also learned the single hole plate is the best choice when doing free-motion quilting. If you have a sewing center or quilt shop near you, just go in and ask for a demo!