JT> with on a fairly regular basis, the sewing machines are the worst. 
JT> Their favorite tricks are: cut the thread, break the needle, or wad the 
JT> thread up underneath.   My poor husband is constantly being called to 
JT> rescue me, when i have to use the sewing machine. 
Hi Jeannelou:
I think I can give you some hints for the things that you mentioned above.
1) - wading thread underneath.  If you will hold your thread ends when you 
start sewing, for about the first inch, the wadding will stop.  This keeps 
he
ends from falling down in the bobbin area and getting messed up there.
2) - breaking the needle.  Usually this happens when you are pulling or 
oving
the fabric under the needle yourself.  I tend to have this happen when I am 
free motion quilting.  As I read somewhere - "You paid for the feeddogs - let 
them do the work".  Just lightly guide the fabric where you want it to go, 
et
the feeddogs feed the material under the foot.
I had this happen with free motion quilting and finally took a class (about 
$15.00) to specifically have the teacher stand over my shoulder and tell me 
what I was doing wrong.  She gave me a couple of hints, and I have only 
roken
one needle since while free motion.  I have also broken needles in the past 
when I have been trying to go through many layers - last night I was going 
through 7 layers when I broke a needle.  It is just a matter of stopping and 
putting a new needle in.  A class might be worth it to help you get over your 
problems with the sewing machine.
3) - Cut the thread. This can happen if you are using really cheap or old 
thread.  I have been told to use metrasine, and Gueterman (spelling might not 
be right), becuase they are a quality thread, and I have fewer problems when 

 use them.  If a thread is old, it will break easily when you are holding it 
and pulling on it.  Rot sets in and weakens it.
4) - Other problems - A good sewing machine can make a lot of difference.  I 
have had a really cheap machine (paid $50 for one and $5 for another at a 
garage sale) that really made sewing a pain.  When I bought a Bernina sewing 
machine, sewing has been a dream.  Quality machine.
Also has your husband gone through you machine and oiled it for you recently? 
or have you/he cleaned lint out of it recently?  These could also cause some 
problems.
Hope the above stuff helps you.
Teresa
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