Crooked stitches with Janome MC8200
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 989
Something to try - repeat the test with a typical quilting cotton instead of linen. If that looks ok, try a lightweight fusible on the back of the linen and repeat the test.
Linen has a looser weave and a tendency to stretch. It could be that the fabric stretching during stitching and relaxing back into place afterwards is what's making the stitches go more "wonky" than expected.
That said, machines capable of decorative stitches will always have a slight angle to them. If straight stitches are important, a straight stitch machine will have the advantage.
Juki's TL series might be worth considering.
Linen has a looser weave and a tendency to stretch. It could be that the fabric stretching during stitching and relaxing back into place afterwards is what's making the stitches go more "wonky" than expected.
That said, machines capable of decorative stitches will always have a slight angle to them. If straight stitches are important, a straight stitch machine will have the advantage.
Juki's TL series might be worth considering.
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 2,093
A finer weave fabric will produce a straighter stitch. A smaller stitch length will produce a straighter stitch. And if you tighten both the top and bottom tensions a little, that will help produce a straighter stitch.
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,710
Something to try - repeat the test with a typical quilting cotton instead of linen. If that looks ok, try a lightweight fusible on the back of the linen and repeat the test.
Linen has a looser weave and a tendency to stretch. It could be that the fabric stretching during stitching and relaxing back into place afterwards is what's making the stitches go more "wonky" than expected.
That said, machines capable of decorative stitches will always have a slight angle to them. If straight stitches are important, a straight stitch machine will have the advantage.
Juki's TL series might be worth considering.
Linen has a looser weave and a tendency to stretch. It could be that the fabric stretching during stitching and relaxing back into place afterwards is what's making the stitches go more "wonky" than expected.
That said, machines capable of decorative stitches will always have a slight angle to them. If straight stitches are important, a straight stitch machine will have the advantage.
Juki's TL series might be worth considering.
I also agree with the Juki TL 2010 or the 2200 QVP MIni (same machine, different accessory package). Its a good straight stitch machine.
#15
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 26
Argh sorry - I keep typing answers and then the token expires and they go pouf!
@eliza422 That's really good to know - I will chekc the Juki out.
@DawnFurlong Glad I'm not the only one!
@bearisgray Straight stitching *is* hard! But I've worked and worked on my technique and am happy with the actual straightness of the lines now - it's just the stitches themselves!
@sewingpup Hmm - there is a Viking MegaQuilter on Ebay for £500 right now - I'm tempted to make them an offer! I have another Viking I could get rid of..
@osewme That's *very* interesting. I love my Janome in every other respect - just the blimming stitch straightness.
@JanieW Thank you, that's so useful - I will do those tests. I wouldn't have a problem with skewed stitches if they were all skewed and regular, but it's quite random.
@eliza422 That's really good to know - I will chekc the Juki out.
@DawnFurlong Glad I'm not the only one!
@bearisgray Straight stitching *is* hard! But I've worked and worked on my technique and am happy with the actual straightness of the lines now - it's just the stitches themselves!
@sewingpup Hmm - there is a Viking MegaQuilter on Ebay for £500 right now - I'm tempted to make them an offer! I have another Viking I could get rid of..
@osewme That's *very* interesting. I love my Janome in every other respect - just the blimming stitch straightness.
@JanieW Thank you, that's so useful - I will do those tests. I wouldn't have a problem with skewed stitches if they were all skewed and regular, but it's quite random.
#16
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 26
@mkc and @cashs_mom - so interesting about the properties of linen! I will definitely try now with another fabric and report back.
I also realised that the tension is wrong on the darker stitches in the example photo. I will try again with it set better and also follow your suggestion of tighttening the tension @quiltedsunshine - good plan.
More testing to do, and a service I think - and I'll keep my eyes peeled for a Juki TL 2010 in the meantime.
Thanks so much everyone, I really appreciate the suggestions.
I also realised that the tension is wrong on the darker stitches in the example photo. I will try again with it set better and also follow your suggestion of tighttening the tension @quiltedsunshine - good plan.
More testing to do, and a service I think - and I'll keep my eyes peeled for a Juki TL 2010 in the meantime.
Thanks so much everyone, I really appreciate the suggestions.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 989
The 2020PE is a silver-finished 2010 with several additional feet (mostly hopping feet for the US market; garment making for the Japanese market).