What stitch length are you using? I had been told to set it at 0 now that really broke my needle a lot as I was trying to move the quilt while the needle was down. I change it to 2 and it works great but I am still afraid to FMQ because I hate the needle breaking sound - I scream and my dog runs through the house barking and this wakes my husband - that opens a whole can of different issues. Good luck Emily