I haven't had this machine very long (got it used but the person I bought it from said they barely used it too - from here) - One big problem I have is that the needle breaks quite often. Is this common? I the Disney brother machine. I'm thinking maybe I need to have it serviced- unless there is something I'm just missing.

E.

how much stabilizer are you using? i have to use 3-4 layer of tearaway to get stuff to do right...otherwise i either have puckering or broken needles galore

Maybe that is it... I usually just use one layer of tearaway on a woven.

How much stabilizer would be needed for towels? i'm wanting to make some hand towels for gifts

For towels, you would want probably 2 layers (I *ALWAYS* use a minimum of 2 layers on everything, I also have the disney machine), plus a layer of water soluable on top, to keep the loops from poking through. It isn't mandantory, but the results are much more satisfactory, and, well, professional :) I have also discovered that thread socks help my machine stitch more smoothly, since the thread likes to come out of that first hook. Seems that happens most frequently on a lonnnnnggggggggg project, and usually near the end - must be a Murphy's law thing lololol!