Quote Originally Posted by UmAnOnion
further on what barb said, always ensure that you are using the correct needle type for teh fabric you are working on. Had a *(&^ in a fabric store try to sell me round point needles (made for knits) for working on heavy duty canvas - which requires a sharp pointed needle (but not a knife edge leather needles which woud slice the threads of a woven fabric)

also be sure to match the needle weight to the weight of fabric heavier fabrics need thicker/stronger needles and nothing is more fruistrating than trying to stitch a heavy weight fabric with needles that are too light & keep breaking!!!
Excellant advice. I had to learn all this the hard way.