I need help with my Janome 6700
 

I bought a Janome 6700 in July and I've had an issue with it not wanting to go over thicker seams in my quilts. It bogs down at those seams and sews very tiny stitches and I have to "help" it to go through them. What do I need to adjust? I've never had a problem with my Brother machines. I've been sewing with the default pressure foot setting from the factory set at "3" and I've moved it to almost "2" but it doesn't make any difference. What else can I do?

I am not very familiar with your brand/model. Does it have a walking foot or integrated feed system? Some machines like those on most of the time for quilting, maybe not so much if you are sewing silk...

Are you using the AcuFeed Flex or just the regular 1/4" foot?

I've found on my Janome (7700) I have to use that machine's version of AcuFeed for doing any piecing that involves going across multiple seams.

If it makes you feel any better I have the same issue with my 6700. I found that I needed to raise the back of the foot by putting a thickly folded square of fabric under it while I sewed. With or without the walking foot. This is Kinda like a hump jumper you use for denim seams. My 6600 never had that problem so needless to say it made me less than happy to have a machine that costs twice as much not live up to the reputation of the brand.

That is the very reason I bought a Juki straight stitch machine. It never bogs down over seams. Every one of the machines that I have had with decorative stitches or zig zag has bogged down or paused at seam joining. You can use a seam humper but that is annoying.

I have had a straight stitch machine for over 15 years that is my favorite machine of all time. I have a Brother Nouvelle 1500 and goes through anything. I'm disappointed in the Janome.

Wow! That's crazy. I don't want to be fussing around with jumpers or anything else when I'm sewing. Why is this machine so highly rated? I don't understand.

Well this may make you feel better. Two of my friends in sew group have the high end 20K plus Luminaire machine. It stalls on seams with any raised bump. It is definitely a embroidery machine first and sewing machine second. Excellent embroidery though.

I found several machines just do not like sewing over 'humps', so I raise the foot (I use a knee lift) to get it up there, and it sews fine. Also find some don't have the grunt to put that needle through those humps.

use the Acufeed feature (sometimes referred to as Dual Feed.).
make sure to check the manual for complete instructions.
it's also worth purchasing the Acufeed quarter-inch foot with guide (for piecing) and the open toe foot (for quilting.)

you will never go back to regular feet again.

you can sew over crocodiles using Acufeed

I'm trying to remember, but I think for thicker fabrics you need to increase pressure on the presser foot not reduce it. I rarely have to use this feature on my Bernina's so I'm not sure but you could try that. I would just use a hump jumper or anything thick to raise the front or back of the presser foot. I find it easier in the long run.

Edit: After a quick search, I found that I didn't remember correctly and you have to lessen the pressure on the presser foot for thick seams or fabrics. You could try dialing it down another number.

I have the Janome 6500 that I've used for years. Can I assume that your 6700 has several different modes for different stitching? For quilting I go to Mode 2, use straight stitch #11 with the pressure foot set at 3. Using a walking foot, even a generic brand does have an advantage as it feeds the material evenly. Sure hope that someone has been able to help you out with their answers. Good luck!

Acufeed! Acufeed! Way better than a regular walking foot.
it's one of the reasons for the machine's price.
get your money's worth. [wink, wink ... nudge, nudge]

I've never had to "adjust" anything for my straight stitch machine to plow through thicker seams, so this is all new to me.

Thanks so much for the info. I also posted this problem I'm having on another forum and they all said the same thing...use the Acufeed and invest in the HP2 foot. They also said to lower the presser foot to "2", use a Jean needle, and lengthen the stitch length. I'm going to do some sewing later today and will check out the Mode 2 that was suggested. Thanks for the help :)

RetiredinPa--did you fix the issue? asking as I am looking at either a 6700 or a Janome 9410 (and...love your name! we recently bought what will be our retirement home in North Central Pa -about 35 minutes west of State college)

Betsey