I have a Janome 8100, sew & embroidery machine and I LOVE IT! In fact I have 3 Janome machines. I have found through many trials and tribulations that the metallic needles work with about any thread, and I use about any thread..lol Sometimes I will use a #9 needle for fine work, but for sometime I have just left the metallic needle in and works great. Another thing, practice makes perfect...do t-towels, lots of practice on them. Just have fun with it...congrats.
Jean