Thread: Pulling my hair out - FMQ (trying to learn) on Janome 6600 - GRRRR

Originally Posted by PghPat

I want to thank every last one of your for your responses and help. I think I am on the right track. I have followed everyone's suggestions - a lot of them were things I was already doing/trying but there is such a combination of different things that I'm not sure what I changed that did the trick - like someone said "trial and error". First of all I think that the only thing I was doing differently to start with (compared to when I was quilting halfway decent) was a different bobbin - and I think I have a few bobbins I need to get rid of - including the one that was in my machine. Changing it did make quite a difference.

Then by one suggestion, I remembered I do have a "blue dot" bobbin case and bobbin washers that I haven't used before. Also the Slider (I knew I had one but couldn't find it - which happens often when you go back and forth North and South twice a year). I took the time to really do a thorough search and did find it.

I took some of the suggestions to try leaving the feed dogs up and stitch length to zero, slowed the machine down a bit. I do use Start/Stop button all the time.

Whatever, I seem to have gotten a rhythm that seems to be working and wrote a note on every setting I am using so that I can go back to it in the future. Now I need to - like EVERYONE says - practice, practice, practice. I took one of the many orphan blocks I had and sandwiched it and played with it. I'm enclosing a picture of the stippling/meandering (forget the difference between the two - I think it is acceptable.

Looks really good to me.

Well done!

I use an embroidery machine needle and have not had any problems.

I had same problem. Same machine. I did invest in FMQ plate & foot. that did help.. Alos purchased the quilting/walking foot SID & I love it. It guides along so SID comes out really nice. Made a big difference.

Originally Posted by Leonita

I did invest in FMQ plate & foot. that did help.. Alos purchased the quilting/walking foot SID & I love it. It guides along so SID comes out really nice. Made a big difference.

That SID foot for the Janome is the cat's meow! Love it too!

I've been fmq for several years on my Viking Designer 1 and have never had a problem. Last week I quilted a toddler sized quilt for my grandson. Finish the entire thing and take it off the machine...the tension is all off and I have to rip it all out! Grrrr..because I've never had a problem and I've never had to mess with the tension on my machine I never looked to make sure it was going ok. The thread is pulling to the bottom so I never saw it. Lesson learned. But I still can't figure out what's going on...need to play with it some more.

I have a Janome 7700. I put the stitch length to zero and leave the feed dogs up. I use a supreme slider. I never touch the tension button. I use Aurifil 50 wt and a 14 Schmetz needle and, knock of wood, have never had a problem. Good luck. From another Pat