I think Janomes are known for not winding the evenest bobbin. My 6600 usually has one end fatter than the other but they sew fine.

I have had a 7700, I seem to remember when you wind the bobbin, you have to make sure you follow the thread path to get the correct tension when winding. Good luck - I really liked my 7700 but traded it in for an upgrade. I hope you have as much fun with yours as I did.

Make sure your presser foot is up when you thread the machine.
If it's down the tension discs are closed and the thread will not sit
properly between the discs. Took me a while to figure this out.

Also, when you wind the bobbin, hold the tail thread until it covers the
starting point. It helps keep the tension on your bobbin.

A big thank you to everyone! I am working on getting bobbins wound correctly and making sure threading is correct too. Hopefully I can get it worked out.

The first few bobbins seemed quite loose but I'm not sure what I am doing differently but they are fine now. I don't use my machine on a frame but I had a lot of trouble with he machine shredding my thread when FMQ. I only use Guttermann thread now as it seems it the one my machine likes. I also FMQ with the feed dogs up and stitch length set to 0. I seem to have more trouble when I drop them and also when I use the single hole plate converter thingy. Keep trying things, you will get to know each other. :thumbup:

I frequently fill from a thread cone so don't always get the thread through the path the same way as I would from a spool. I found that putting a little tension on the thread coming from the cone by holding it between my thumb and forefinger and guiding the thread up and down on the bobbin helps avoid wonky bobbins. Also, don't forget to clip off the little thread tail on the top of the bobbin where you start the thread. It will cause a problem in the bobbin case.

I had the same problem with the bobbin winding. For a couple years I managed by pressing thread between thumb and forefinger. Then I reread the manual and watched videos, and tried pulling both ends of the thread to engage it under the tension screw - no help. Last week, though, I got out the screwdriver and tightened the tension screw that the bobbin feeds under. I had to tighten it quite a bit, but all's well now.

I also had an issue with free motion quilting using the skimming feet that come with the machine. I was getting skipped stitches, especially when going over bulky seams. I bought a bouncy darning foot, and that solved the problem.

Did you try using this machine before buying it?? I always encourage quilters to test drive any machine just like you would a car. With your purchase, are you going to receive any free classes??

I did not know there was a Yahoo group. I am a new owner of an 8900 and just sent my request to joing the Yahoo group. Thanks for letting us know about the Yahoo group.

I know with my 8900 if you read the book and do just as they tell you how to wind the bobbin in works fine with any thread. If the thread is loose it won't stitch well. I have had 3 Janomes and have never had problems with the tension or fmqing on them. Good luck, you will get the hang of it.