janome 6600 "thread diva" issues!
 

My sister recently purchased the Janome 6600 and was thoroughly frustrated with her attempt to sew with metallic thread. (I have an Elna Q7200, which is basically the same machine) I have read many tips on this problem and have changed the "DON'T EVER TOUCH THIS" bobbin tension. She bought the machine from a retailer who has no experience with this machine (she lives in the middle of no where in BC) so we were desperate. Defying the retailers advice and changing the bobbin tension, my sister once again loves her machine! Query: Janome and Elna are basically the same machine so why does Elna provide instructions on bobbin tension and Janome screams "do not touch!"? I was taught on her machine but purchased the Elna because the Janome wasn't available. I have no issues with thread but hers loves Gutermann thread only. Why is hers so picky about thread?

Thank you for the bobbin tension advice. We're having a ball with metallic thread now! Quilting is, once again, fun and exciting (and less frustrating!).:)

Welcome to the board! Well, the bobbin case did have a screw in it, if the really didn't want you to change it, they would have just soldered the darned thing.
I think the caution is there because it takes such a tiny adjustment to really change the tension it's easy to go way overboard. Most folks don't think to mark the original position of the screw so trying to get it back to where it started is an issue. It's often suggested purchasing a second bobbin case if you are planning on making lots of adjustments, like when you do bobbin work.

that's what I did for my 6600. Actually ... my original bobbin had a slight burr in the ring. When I showed it to my dealer to ask if it was still OK to use, she said sure but bobbin holders are fairly cheap and why not get another and use this one to "play with". It was worth it.

Thankfully, her bobbin settings have clear markings so she can put it back to the original position without "being caught" by the Janome dictators! lol :)

I have a spare bobbin case so I can change the bobbin tension on one and leave the other as pre set.

get the blue bobbin casing for the 6600. Work great I have it for the 7700 and love it

never had a problem with any thread on my 6600. just lucky, I guess.

I could never understand why some are picky with thread all of my brothers and my babylock used whatever brand I threw at them. Sometimes I wonder if its users or the machines, because I would return a machine that was picky about thread especially an expensive one. If I pay that kind of money I should be able to use anything

I don't have any problem using any thread in my Janome 6600 P either.

I even used a 12 weight in my 6600. Mainly you have to match the needle size to the weight of the thread you're using.