Help - Trouble shoot free motion quilting on Janome 6600
 

I have been trying off and on for a few years to learn to free motion quilt. Each time I really put my heart into it I do accomplish just a bit more - but by the time I am ready to try quilting something else I just can't do it. I just finished a baby quilt last month and was so happy with the quilting - front and back (just got it mailed yesterday - bummer). It was the first item I did a something other than practice blocks. I actually remembered to write down my settings and tried to duplicate it - but it is awful. I have move my settings all over the place. I am posting a picture front and back on a scrap block that I just tried on and you will see my top thread (on the back) is all loops. The picture of the machine is the settings that were used on that block. Of course that was about the 6th different settings I tried. Can anyone help me? I tried changing the needle - retreading the top and the bobbin thread to no avail. I'm not sure how much you can tell by these pictures. Thanks for even looking at my posting. Pat

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They sell a bobbin case that has a blue dot on it. It really helped me with the eyelash problem. Also, I do not lower my feed dogs. I just set the stitch at 0. I also do not use the foot peddle. Move the fabric slowly around a curve. These things have improved my free motion on that machine. I still do not like to quilt by machine, but usually quilt by hand.

Is 5 the factory setting? I think the top tension is too loose and maybe you are moving the block a little too fast on the curves. I would tighten the top tension first and see if that helps. Good luck.
Sue

did you put your presser foot down? It looks like there was no upper tension at all.

I have a Janome 7700 and my tension is always better if I leave the feed dogs up and set the stitch length to 0. Keep trying, you will get there.

I agree with PaperPrincess. It looks like you forgot to put the pressure foot down. Also, it helped me to lower the speed where you have those arrows above your cut button. Set it half way so you are not trying to sew too fast. You will find the sweet spot of machine speed and moving the quilt.

This machine should tell you if you forgot to put the presser foot down.
When I FMQ my speed control is way down near the bottom range. This keeps my "lead foot" under control as I tend to speed up on curves, causing those eyelashes.
I also put my stitch length to 0 rather than drop my feed dogs.
On mine, it always runs around "4" for FMQ, but that's neither here nor there as all machines are different.
Also, on my machine, it doesn't like it if you have different thread in the top and bottom. I know you're trying to show the problem here and that's why you have two different threads, but mine acts funny when you do that, right off the bat.

Watson

I also bought the blue bobbin and it made a really big difference in my free motion I am certainly not good but better with every one I do.

The blue dot bobbin is a lifesaver, high five to you Janome.

Hope you get it figured out, I'm still in the practicing mode.

is the second picture the back??? If it is your top tension needs attention double check make sure the top is threaded correctly and increase the tension try it see how it looks if it still is loose go ahead and increase it again. Don't be afraid to adjust the tension. Hope this helps.