Hi My 6600 is just over 12 months too and I am not happy with Carmen

That's marvellous: gives me hope that I too can find a solution. Looking forward to seeing the picture of your quilt.

I'm so glad you've found the solution. Janomes are superb machines. I think that all makes of machines have their own foibles. We just have to learn how to handle them!

I have my Janome3 set on 3 and it works fine. Do a test row with every stitch position until you find which is the best for you. Try out on a sandwiched block and see if that is alright too. Some times I found using 2 different threads will make my work out. So check that you have the same brand as well. Good Luck.

Mine was working great...now I am having proplems...I really think its the needles...I had no problems with the kenmore needles on the Jamone. I have recently bought many different sizes of the univesal needles...not the Kenmore. I have had nothing but problems FMQ'ing. Prior to these needle no issues. I am going to Sears tomorrow to buy some of their needles and give it another try. I loved doing FMQ'ng when it was working...

Why should this be so much trouble? We've paid a lot for our Janome machines -- they should be serving us well! It's so discouraging.

Aurgh...I just broke the needle plate hole...back to the dealer it goes...I am getting so discouraged...I think I may just pull out my old machine for a while...getting sick of computerized machines...I do love it but it has been giving me problems. I am sure some of the issues are my own making. But like I told my husband I did 3 quilts with no issues. Jamone should either offer classes or do classes on line. I am getting frustrasted...and its making me want to take a long break from quilting.

That's right - these are expensive machines and in some cases sold as quilting machines - they should do what they claim to do without so much hassle.

That's how I ended up feeling - so discouraged and I lost all confidence in my ability to do FMQ because of the problems with my machine. The day that I tried some different machines and my FMQ was fine with no sign of loops was a great one! So sad that enjoyment is spoiled by these issues - but you know it's NOT you, even if Janome say it is!

You shouldn't use Universal needles for FMQ - only Quilting or Top Stitch ones!

As always, I have learned a new thing by reading the threads. Didn't know about the different needles. Guess I will go buy some. Thanks again everyone for the all the great info on this forum.

I have the 6600 also. I use the blue bobbin and find the tension needs to be set just a little higher. I think I set mine close 6 or 7 most of the time. I also find if I move my fabric faster, I do better. I read that using a top stitch needle works better because of the length of the thread opening and it has a groove that holds the thread and feeds it better. I tried it as well as cleaning my machine real well and putting a drop of oil in that little spot and things are working much better. With any problem, I always re-thread my needle, for some reason it helps. More fun!!!!

I thought I'd come back to this thread, which I started in some despair a few weeks ago, to let you know what happened. Since then I've been on holiday so haven't had much time to try out all the tips and advice that was offered, but yesterday I took a deep breath and went back to my machine. And - I found a combination of settings, needle, thread and bobbin case that worked! I'd only intended to start to work on it, but by the end of the afternoon I'd stipple-quilted half a quilt - and really enjoyed doing it! The results weren't perfect, but definitely good enough. In 7 years with this machine, it was the first time that I'd had a trouble-free FMQ session. I'm so thrilled - all my enthusiasm is back after a long period of frustration and loss of confidence.
For info, the combination that worked was: no.11 top stitch needle; Superior Threads King Tut thread top and bottom; blue dot bobbin case; tension on 9. So the tension is still a bit extreme, but if it works, that's fine!
A big thankyou to everyone who gave me help and encouragement.

Oh yes - and I was also using a Magic Bobbin Washer.

I'm so pleased you've got there at last - well done!

I'm glad you've made it work but I still think there's something wrong - I FMQ with King Tut on 3 tension setting and no bobbin washer. I do use a 12 needle though and Bottom Line in the bobbin.

Yes, I agree, it shouldn't be like this, especially with the blue dot bobbin case, which, from what others have told me, usually seems to require a lower tension. However, just to get some acceptable results is a huge step forward, and the fact that I then quite competently stippled my quilt is important, because I've so often been told that the problem must be me rather than the machine. There's still a long way to go - what will happen with different threads, batting, fabric? But the major hurdle of my destroyed confidence has been overcome: I CAN do FMQ, and at least it answers the worry that I might spend a lot on a new machine and find that I still couldn't get decent results. Next step is to do a lot more work with this machine and see if I can continue to coax it into producing acceptable stitches, or if I just have to accept that it's not good enough and I need to invest in a new one. I don't think I'm going to get any more help from my dealer or from Janome, both of whom refuse to accept that having to have the tension on 9 to stand any chance of doing FMQ is a problem.

If it works with the tension on 9 then perhaps there isn't a problem. From what's been said before, it seems that, whatever the make, every machine has its own idiosyncrasies - it's just a question of discovering what they are!

Just thought I would give you a telephone number if your Janome keeps acting up. I purchased a Janome here in Winston-Salem, NC at Triad Sewing and Vacuum Center. The gentleman that works on the Janome machines is very knowledgeable - if you want to call long-distance, he might be able to help you with your problem via the phone. If you decide to call, the number is: 336/784-8221. If you can't call, I'll be glad to ask him whatever you want me to. Just let me know.

I hope this is so - I can live with 9 if it will just work consistently! I need to try some different combinations of threads and battings before I can feel confident: it's been a long, long struggle.

Really happy for you that your problems have been resolved and you are on your way to great FMQ! I also recently started a thread about problems with my Janome tension. To date, I've not resolved this issue yet. Waiting for my blue bobbin to arrive and try again. Hopefully I'll be able to resolve these issues like you soon.

I have the 6600 and LOVE it and have very little problems. I used connecting threads thread. If I do get a tension problem it is always that it is threaded incorrectly. I do try to use the same thread color.

Something else that occurred to me - you ARE using Janome brand bobbins aren't you?

I'll go and look for your thread in a minute. Telling that this subject keeps coming up... let me know how you get on and what difference the blue dot bobbin case makes.

Yes, I am!

Sorry - that should have been "yes I am using Janome bobbins"!

I got you!