Janome 6600 stitch quality zigzag - help!
 

I have a new-to-me Janome 6600 and am having trouble zigzagging a quilt sandwich. The top of some of the zigzags are squared off - it even sews a few straight stitches once in a while. I'm quilting a full bed quilt when on my old machine the largest I did was twin. So size and drag are a variable. I have changed needles - using a 14-90. I've rethreaded, cleaned out -- all I know to do. I figure it's user error, but I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. Suggestions?

I puddle the quilt and have stools to hold it's weight to the front - it's on a table so there is support to the left and behind the machine. I have the foot pressure on 2 - had in on 1 for a while. Tension is on 7 - but I've tried it on every number. I have the red dot bobbin holder in there. Using foot A, mode 2, stitch 08. I'm stitching on the piecing seams around blocks.

Is the zigzag normal on regular fabric? Is it normal on a test sandwich using the batting in your quilt?

both good questions! To which I do not know the answer! :)

Ya'll are really good. After a week of frustration working on this quilt a little at a time (I have 2 jobs that do not involve quilting) I finally posted for help. ince then the last 3 blocks I've been around have been great. I think it's the drag, pull, weight of the quilt - and the learning curve involved with a new machine. But ... if it starts up again I'll get the answers to Prism99's questions.

are you using the walking foot/accufeed? I use the accufeed for everything....it might help, but I am guessing that it's the thickness that is giving you grief....try playing with the tension, mine is normally set right around 5 for everything but fmq....try a bigger needle too.

I just tried zigzag on my I have the foot pressure on 3. I have it set on mode 2, stitch 8. I use the the dual feed foot with the stitch regular and it was ok. I also tried it with zigzag foot also had no trouble. Can you try using the dual feed foot with the stitch regular and put foot pressure on 3.

thanks Lbug - I was using the dual feed foot then changed to foot A just in case that was the problem. Had foot pressure on 3 then changed it to 2. I'll go to dual feed with 3 again and see if it keeps good. I do think it's drag of the quilt. It has flannel backing and just seems heavy to me - but ... biggest one I've ever done.

Thanks everyone - onward and upward!

If the quilt isn't support from behind, that may be the cause of the drag.

Another thing ... be sure that you have the foot flipped down and into the dual feed when you are using the accufeed feet. It;s too easy to forget to swing it down into place ............ and that will play havoc with your results!

For sure use your accufeed when you are quilting.