I want to thank everybody who has answered my numerous questions about FMQ. (Just because I'm thanking everybody, don't fool yourselves into think you've seen the last of my questions though. ;-) )
I've taken your advice--a bigger needle, slowing down, then slowing down some more, and I'll be getting some 50 wt cotton thread. Also through the many discussions, it occurred to me to try the one thing I hadn't (in regard to the thread breaking) and that was loosening the top tension. I'd been afraid to do that for fear that the eyelashes would make a return on the back. Well, it worked! I was able to sew a fairly long distance even with my regular sewing thread before the thread broke without having the stitches on the back becoming too loose. I think the better thread will be the final component before it's all down to me.
Okay, so I'm pretty spastic with my speed (although I'm sewing much, much slower) and motion, but at least it seems doable now. Yesterday morning, I was about ready to give it up.
Thanks so much everyone! Michelle in Nevada, USA