Does my Janome not like some thread?
 

I have a Janome 6600 and I love it. But I am having a problem and I am not sure what is causing it. I thread my machine and sew... everything goes well. Then all of the sudden the thread comes out of the lift arm.... step 6 in the threading process. When that happens the machine chokes. I rethread and then I can sew again just fine.. until it happens again.

Does anyone know what causes the thread to come out of that lift arm? Is it simply that particular thread?

You might join a janome yahoo group. I know I have seen posts somewhere about that exact thing and the janome user groups should be able to tell you the problem whereas not everyone here will have a janome.

I have had this happen a few times with my Janome MC 6600P. It happened when I was sewing at top speed and more than 2 layers. I use a variety of thread and it started after I started using the #60 weight in the bobbin, before that I always used the #50 weight. I have a lot more control going a bit slower and the problem has stopped.

I have tried to join one Janome group, but I couldn't... can't remember now if it was me or them :) It has mostly been with this one spool of thread, but I would like to use it up. Maybe I will watch the weight of thread a little closer

I had that happen on my Janome 760. The dealer told me to squeeze the lift arm with pliars (carefully)....to squeeze it together where the thread comes out..... wish I could explain better. They just left the slot too big......

What thread and what needle are you using? I use Topstitch 90/14 needle with Essential Threads
(which is a thicker thread). If you use the right needle for your thread you shouldn't have that problem.
Also, make sure the bobbin case is clean. Might just need a new needle.

Make sure that the thread is seated in the tension discs. Hold the spoll, pull the thread until you can feel it seat. That should take care of the problem. I have 3 Janomes (not including my serger)

Sandy

Is the thread black or some other very dark color? Dark color threads can sometimes be very stiff from all the dye that's used. This causes it to not behave well. I have one large spool of black, from a good manufacturer that will only work in one machine. That one has a hole in the take up lever that keeps it in place, otherwise it just jumps out of the lever.

It is not the thread. It just happens on the 6600.

well this is a spool of lilac thread - lighter color. I really don't remember having this problem with other threads.. or if it did happen the happenings were few and far between.. I don't know what weight this thread is. I bought it at WalMart before I bought my machine - probably 3 years ago.. all I know is that its "All Purpose" from Coats and Clark. It should almost be gone now... just won't use any of that again. I am now buying Superior brand thread

nabobw - you have a Janome 6600 and have the same experience?

Sandygirl - that's good point -not sure if I am doing that. I do remember when I bought the machine and the dealer was showing it to me she did say to listen for that sound

I was told by my Bernina dealership to only use Mettler silk wrapped thread. There just might be some threads that don't work well on Janome.

No, it isn't your thread choice....it is just a quirk of the machine....does it to me once in a while, all different thread types....try threading through the take-up lever left to right (backward)....it does help me when the machine gets a bit funky....good luck!

Thank you for all of your responses... gave me some things to think about :)

Interesting! My 6600 is my main machine, had it just over 2 years now, and I haven't had this particular issue yet. Mine will unthread at the needle sometimes after using the auto-cut button, but not jumping out up at the top usually. I think maybe it's happened once or twice, but not anything I'd consider a consistent problem.

I'm usually sewing with Precensia, Aurifil, or Connecting Threads.

(Of course now that I've SAID this, it'll start happening all the time...)

Check that you have your spool on the spool pin coming off the spool correctly. I was having the same problem and my dealer told me I had the spool on wrong. Who knew that would make such a difference? Checked the manual and sure enough... it was wrong.

My machine will not sew with Coats and Clark dual duty thread. All other threads are fine but she chokes with C&C so I don't use it. Why deal with the headache.

Yes, machines can hate different brands of thread or different colors in the same brand. My machine hates Florini thread. It's beautiful thread, but I can't use it with my machine. That's why if you buy a different brand of thread, buy just one spool and see if your machine likes it.

One of my friends has this issue with hers and this is how she solved it. Hopefully I can explain it in a way that makes sense.
Normally when you thread your machine you bring the thread up through the tension discs and then along the right side of the arm, through the loop at the end of the arm and down the left side to continue through the little loops before you get to the needle. What she does is after she brings the thread through the tension discs she crosses the thread over the arm and goes from left to right through the hook at the top of the arm and then continues down through the loops to the needle. This doesn't affect the tension on the thread so sewing is fine but having the thread in essence cross over itself at the loop keeps it from coming out. I believe she got this idea from her dealer.
I have a Janome 8900 and have never had this problem but you are not alone in this happening on your model.

the newer 6600Ps don't have this problem.
mine did. (purchased approx 5 years ago. manufacture date unknown, but it was new-in-box.)
i was also able to solve the problem using the threading method citruscountyquilter described.

i used all sorts of threads without issue.

PatriceJ:
I believe you replaced your 6600P with the 11000SE ? As I did, but missing the Acufeed system, not getting the same quality results with the Even Feed Foot. Do you feel the same? Wondering if I might have a faulty EF Foot.

I had thread problems no matter what the machine on high humidity days. When I switched to new Gutterman thread it seemed to stop.

I have the Janome 6600 and that will happen to me if I touch (even slightly) the knee lift and start sewing at the same time. If you are not even using the knee lift and it happens, then it must be something else. Good luck.

Yes your machine may not like certain brands of thread. Having said that, Sandygirl is right, you have to make sure the thread is 'seated' properly. I have that problem occasionally with my 6600. When I bought my 8900 the dealer actually showed me the technique of holding the thread where it comes off the spool with one hand while I thread the machine so the thread 'seats' properly.

My 6600 is another one that does not like Coats & Clark Thread. Anything else works fine.

My 6600P did not like Coats and Clark Thread either, breaking and knotting up. But the unthreading at takeup lever 6 became so frustrating, no matter what brand of thread used, I evidently gave up on the machine. That was a very difficult decision to make. Wishing you all the best with yours.

Some Janomes and Brother machines are bad about the thread jumping out of the take up lever. In quilt classes, I can always tell when someone's thread has come out..they are loudly complaining, wondering if it is their tension or thread....I just tell them to check their take up lever....then I help them thread their machine. Rather than putting your thread in from right to left, put your thread in from left to right through the take up lever. Janome has now put a lock on these levers....so it doesn't happen with the new machines...PM me if you need more help. In answer to your question on thread....Janomes don't like Coats and Clark threads....don't know why....If you don't want to throw your thread away, wind it on some bobbins.

I basically use Connecting Threads Essentials. I have 3 Janomes and the 6600. Don't have any problems.

there has been some discussion on the Janome yahoo group about this and the solution seems to be threading your machine backward, in other words start on the left above the needle and thread as usual. Seems to fix the problem

I've had it happen once or twice on my 6600 and it was only when sewing at fast speed. Just drop your speed back a little.

I changed my thread - to Superior - and I have not had the problem since. I almost hate to say anything because I don't want to jinx anything :)

Thanks for all of your suggestions!

This is what I've seen recommended on the Janome Yahoo site for the 6500/6600 machines. I have the 6600 and fortunately have not had this problem.

i had the 11000SE first.
i bought the 6600 because i loved piecing on the 11000 so much i never made time to use the embroidery. LOL

i still have the 11000, but have since replaced the 6600 with an 8900.

i have not yet found a regular walking foot [even feed] that equals the Acufeed system.
my bet is that owners of any brand that has a built in even feed system (e.g. pfaff) will say the same.

the walking foot for my smaller brother machine does a better job than i expected.
i can't tell you how it compares to the janome walking foot because i haven't used that one for several years.

I have the Janome 6600 and have the same problem. I agree with it being a design issue. I took my machine in at least once a week when I first bought it. It's much better about not doing it now. It's also true that it happens more frequently when you sew full throttle. If I stick to a more medium speed, I don't have the issues.
I also had trouble with bird's nest knots with he 6600. I bought some of the Magic Genie bobbin washers which too care of that problem. Other than those two issues I have loved this machine.

if you follow the threading advice first posted by citruscountyquilter (comment #18, above), you will solve the problem.
if you needed washers to get rid of birds nests, you are using the wrong size bobbin.
the 6600 uses a class 15 bobbin. sounds like you are/were using class Ls.

I'm not sure of your problem, but I had a Viking diamond that had a different part to fix that problem. Maybe Janome is different. Hope that helps.

I have had a MC6600 for over four years and have never, ever had this problem. I use whatever thread I have on hand but always use bobbin thread. Good luck on fixing your problem.

Thank you, PatriceJ for sharing that info with me. It's always good to hear about other's experiences with the same products.

I just finished a quilt on my 6600. I used all kinds of thread: Mettlar, Superior, unspecified metallic embroidery thread, and for the bulk of my FMQ I used Dual Duty with So Fine Superior thread in the bobbin. It was the only thread I had that matched and it was late. Never had used Dual duty before. All worked beautifully. I do have the special FMQ bobbin case. I have had that weird tension thing happen a few months back. I didn't worry about it as it only happened once or twice. Now I know how to solve it! This machine has taken any thread I've thrown at it.

I have a picky Janome DC1050. It likes Aurifil and Coats, but chokes on Essential brand from Connecting Threads. Or else I'm screwing it up.

I have used both Gutterman 50/3 cotton, Prescencia 60/3 cotton, and Superior cotton and polyester threads with my Bernina 440 QE and never had any problems with any of them. The Metter Silk thread that I buy is not actually wrapped with silk, it is 100% cotton; it is the finish of the thread that gives it the "silk" feel. I use it for hand and machine applique