I have the Janome 6600 and I love it. I think I know what you mean about the "eyelashes" Before I start on my real quilt I get a practice sandwhich and play and adjust the tension until they go away - then I go to my project. I can tell you that the top tension is usually set really high when I FMQ.. like on 9. I don't know what the blue bobbin is. I will have to check into that.