I am by far no expert, I have a Janome Artistic 18 sitdown. I have found that I need 2 different bobbin holders, one for polyester thread, one for cotton thread. With the polyester thread, I have to use a thread net or I have all kinds of tension problems, keep trying, I did. I have only had my machine for 6 months, and I am fairly new to free motion, about a year or so. I have faith in you. You can do it