*warning its early and my grammar is going to be bad*
My machine is opposite sides too
When i first tried a twin needle I broke three in the course of hemming 3 shirts and that was paying retail ($6!!!) for the needles, I was so mad
Here's why,
1- I chose to start and stop on a seam lump, now I go and inch or two before or after and I go slower over seams
2-because I'm scared now of forgetting a setting or something I always take the first stitch or two with the hand wheeel, just to be sure I;m not set on something that might break
3- going in reverse sometimes killled the needle. Because you have 2 needles that need to hit the fabric at the same time at the same angle that are only anchored in one spot you just need to be a bit more careful. Again I go a little slower or use the handwheel when going in reverse (which is rare since most things are in a circle and you can go over the first stitches in a forward fashion)
4- didn't break needles but here's another bit of advise. I thought that the zig zag on hte back 'needed' to straddle the raw edge. However since you are sewing from the front you can't see the edge. I used to pin about every inch and measure perfectly so that when i was following a seam guide on the top I'd be right on, worked most of the time (knits get slightly smaller when pulled and so if I wasn't perfect inevitably I'd miss spots). Then I started pinning less often and sewing with a lesser seam allowance by 1/8" (example pin up one inch but use the 7/8" guide), with the small variable in pinning and the slight pull of the knit it was always close enough----to perfect. Now I've been informed by Allison that I shouldn't be pinning, just get a feel for the amount to turn with my hands and go.....I'll be trying this next time
Sarah