Janome 7700qcp tension issues
 

Hi ya'll!
I need some help from all you experienced quilters. I bought a janome 7700 just received it and unpacked it last night. In advance read the book (online) watched tons of videos on the machine. So I set her up wound my first bobbin not at all impressed with the bobbin the juki I have is way better at that. Anyway, thread the machine according to the directions and stitch a plain straight stitch. It's making knots on the bottom of the fabric. It's really tight and little small knots. I have changed needles, changed thread, the only decent stitches I can get is to set the needle tension as high as it will go. Isn't this excessive? What am I doing wrong? I am ready to send it back I am so disappointed the juki Hzl 600f is the fanciest machine I ever owned. I was so excited to get this janome with such a huge throat space. I will try and upload a photo not sure how to. I appreciate all the advice!!
elizabeth

I just got this machine as well. So far, no problems but I haven't used it much. I joined the Yahoo group for the 7700/8900. There is a lot in info there. Check it out.

Are you sure you threaded it correctly (top and bottom). I would take the manual
and check every step.

Yes I have threaded it and rethreated it. Will try again. Thank you both so much for the reply!

I'm curious what problems you had with the bobbin winding - I've noticed with my Elna 860 (Janome 9900 twin) if the bobbin doesn't wind well (fatter on bottom than top), I get those same tension issues where I need to crank up the top tension to get a decent stitch (and the back looks just like yours if I don't). I haven't figured out what I did wrong in the bobbin winding - if I wind a new one it typically looks much better as does the stitch tension.

I've also found both machines prefer Aurifil (piecing and quilting) and Isacord (quilting) threads to another brand I've tried.

Michelle

Check the bobbin again, I also have the 7700 and if the bobbin thread isn't right then my stitches look like yours.
I took a few months to get to know my machine as she can be a bit temperamental, but we get on just fine now :)

Michelle and Woody
It is winding the bobbins wonky! The bottom is fatter than the tops. In my excitement I did not notice this. Have either of you found a way to correct it? Ooo I will try the thread you have mentioned cannot for the life of me recall the brand I have lol.
Before purchasing this machine I read tons of reviews countless utubes and I didn't realize it was going to be such a tempermental beast lol. Thank you both so very much!
elizabeth

Another question do you have problems with tension while free motion quilting? Specifically bought this machine to quilt on a set of frames with so I am curious.
Elizabeth

I bought my Janome 7700 a couple of months ago and I was getting little loops on the bottom of my work until I adjusted the tension of the top thread. I had to play with it a little to get it right. Also, when I wind a bobbin I guide the thread up and down with my finger to get the bobbin wound more evenly (I have to do this on all my machines) and I make sure the thread is not loose on the bobbin.

That's an awesome idea! Thank you ��

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.

I finally understood that with my 8900. My 7700 didn't wind any of my bobbins tight enough. I had read the instrutions that you were supposed to get out that screwdriver and tighten that screw, but somehow, I didn't feel ike I was supposed to do that--like I was messing up my machine or something. But, I did with the 8900 I got and it works ever so much better.

I read somewhere that you have to set your machine on full speed to get a nice
full bobbin. Haven't filled enough bobbins to tell but when I tried it once the
bobbin looked indeed very even. The exception is for monofilament. Then you
have to set the speed to the slowest setting to avoid stretching the thread.