Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
Has anyone free motioned with a Janome Jem Gold 660? >

Has anyone free motioned with a Janome Jem Gold 660?

Has anyone free motioned with a Janome Jem Gold 660?

Old 04-30-2015, 07:36 AM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Micha's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 99
Default Has anyone free motioned with a Janome Jem Gold 660?

Has anyone ever done free motion quilting with a Janome Jem Gold 660? I'm just curious, if you have how did it go? Any tips?

Thank you
Micha
Micha is offline  
Old 04-30-2015, 08:36 AM
  #2  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 15,825
Default

The Jems are portable machines and probably won't hold up to heavy duty machine quilting for long. I have an older Jem Gold and wouldn't want to put that much stress on the gears or motor.
Onebyone is offline  
Old 04-30-2015, 03:20 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Saskatchewan
Posts: 838
Default

I have, just to prove that I could... it wasn't impressive, though. There isn't enough throat space to move the quilt enough for my style of quilting. I used the plastic plate to cover the feed dogs, which worked fine, and the stitch was good without much tension adjustment.

My biggest problem with FMQ on small machines like the Jem Gold or my featherweight is that your hands have to be really close to the needle because of the small throat. I quit trying to do this "just to prove that I can" when I sewed through my finger while free motioning on my featherweight.

From what I recall the internals of the Jem Gold are about as strong as on full size Janomes, so I wouldn't worry too much about it not being able to handle it... however, I think you might be a lot happier to look for a $20 old Singer on Craigslist than risking overstressing your Jem. The Singer 15, or a Japanese clone of it, are supposed to be great machines for free motion quilting on.
Jennifer23 is offline  
Old 04-30-2015, 04:19 PM
  #4  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Micha's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 99
Default

Jennifer23...Ouch! I hope you healed well.

Thank you. I have a Janome Horizon 7700 for quilting. I purchased a Jem Gold, off craigslist, to take to classes. I was just wondering how well it works on FM quilting. Hopefully, I'll have time to play with it before my next class.
~Micha

Last edited by Micha; 04-30-2015 at 04:21 PM.
Micha is offline  
Old 04-30-2015, 04:43 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Saskatchewan
Posts: 838
Default

Ah, that makes sense. Yes, definitely try the Jem Gold; you might have better hand-eye coordination than me. If it's not going to be your main machine for FMQ, it should be fine. If you don't have the plastic plate to cover the feed dogs, just set the stitch length as close as you can to zero. That's what my Mom did for years, since she was never able to find the cover plate when she wanted it.

I was lucky in that when I stitched myself, I just hit beside my nail. It happened at a retreat, so I got lots of sympathy, and I was still able to cut and sew with no trouble, so no problems. I just like to caution people.
Jennifer23 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
countrymaid
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
6
02-27-2013 07:53 AM
pamsmpk
Main
3
04-02-2011 08:59 PM
cherryberry
Main
3
05-16-2010 07:26 AM
GloryBee
Main
8
04-19-2010 03:58 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter