Bobbins & thread
 

Can you use u iversal bobbins in Janome Machines? What cone thread do you use for quilting? TU

no I don't think so, you will mess up the tension I never switch bobbins or needles or anything that isn't for the particular machine I have, but not to say others may have a different opinion.

I stick with the bobbins, etc that were made to go with the machine and never have a problem.

I never used pre-filled bobbins. do use Connecting threads Essentials threads mostly.

Always use the bobbin that's specific for your machine. The height, width and center hole will be different on different machines. Use plastic bobbins in plastic bobbin cases and metal bobbins in metal bobbin cases.

I use Guterman 50 wt cotton on the cone for piecing. And Omni (40 wt) or So Fine (50 wt) from Superior Threads for machine quilting.

for quilting I use SoFine or Omni threads, sometimes Glide if I want a little sparkle.

I've been sewing on Janome exclusively for 7 or 8 years. I find it a good deal to purchase the Janome pre-wound and then use the bobbins for other colors when they are empty.

Janome bobbins have a "j" imprinted on them. They sell pre-wound in black and white and can be found online and in the sewing machine store. I stick to the J bobbins except I have purchased the Superior pre-wound size 15 (plastic - not paper) and have had no problems. I haven't used a lot of them, but enough that I don't worry about purchasing more.


Superior sells "try me" thread that will allow you to purchase just a few bobbins to test on your machine.

I use prefilled bobbins even in my touchy Bernina. The paper backing is suppose to be taken off and many don't know that. I don't use the prefilled plastic bobbins in my machines because I have different brands of machines. Superior Threads has a chart of every machine type and what bobbins to use.

i am 99% sure that the "J" imprinted on some bobbins is not a special class.
most janome machines use Class 15 (also known as Class A) bobbins.

generic class 15/A will work just fine, whether prewound or empty. :)

Actually I believe that there are some machines that the bobbins are interchangeable. For example my Singer machines use the same bobbins as my Brother machines I gifted my Janome machine a few years ago so I don't remember but I am pretty sure that I used the same bobbin for them all. Perhaps with newer models that is not the case. I am only speaking of the machines I've owned.

True confessions: When I got here, I had only used Necchi's for so long, I thought all sewing machines used Class 15 bobbins. I got a Singer and those skinny little bobbins blew my mind. Then I got a 301, and had to buy another kind and OMG I thought, they're just never going to stop!!! I have a labelmaker and for any of the "weird" machines, I put a little sticker that says something like 66, cw,flat r, l to r which stands for a class 66 bobbin, that has the thread coming off to the right (clockwise) when you put it in the bobbin case, and the needle goes in with the flat side to the right, and threads from left to right. (I made this up, not sure if it's how one of them works or not, so don't try to search your memory banks trying to figure out which machine it's for, lol.) It's just too hard to remember. I also put the same info on the front of the manual so I don't have to look it up. I printed them from the manualslib.com website, and bound them with a clear front cover. 'Cause I can, lol.

Not universal related but may be worth including in the discussion. I was talked into buying pre-wound bobbins by an instructor and for sure, they did not fit my machines. They sat for a few years before I came up with the brilliant idea to re-wind them onto my own bobbins. Am I not brilliant, lol. :D

Personally, IMHO, I would never use pre-wound bobbins again even if they did fit. They just make more garbage for landfills and really, how convenient are they? The few seconds they save in winding really isn't a good trade-off.

peace

I find it intersting that over the years, there has been some standardization in bobbins and needles. With vintage machines, there is a lot more variation.

For fun, here is a selection of different bobbins, and this does include several that are still in use today. And yes, the wooden spool on the end is the "bobbin" for a National made "2 spool" machine.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psee42b606.jpg

Janome machines use the class 15 bobbin. If you are to purchase thread, I highly suggest Superior Masterpiece. This was developed by Alex Anderson exclusively for piecing. It is a 50wt. cotton. I have had great results with it! No affiliation!

When I bought my Janome some bobbins came with it and I have never tried any other brand bobbins. I think those bobbins came with the Janome for a reason.

Really Cool!! Thanks for sharing!!!!

Class 15 bobbins come in plastic and metal. In our church sewing room we have found that you cannot use the metal bobbins in a machine designed for the plastic ones. The weight of the metal bobbins messes up the bobbin mechanism. Use the type of bobbin that came with your machine. Using a plastic one in a machine that came with metal does not seem to matter, so the prefilled ones can be used.