OK, so I bought the blue dot bobbin case for my Janome 4800 because when doing FMQ, there were always loops on the back, except possibly if the tension was set on no.9. Now there are loops on the front except possibly if the tension is set on no.1.... :( Do Janome not know the concept of the happy medium..! I may have to take a screwdriver to the bobbin case tension, but before I do that, I'd be grateful for any comments or advice that anyone can offer. I should add that I really don't think these problems are my incompetence - or not just that, anyway - as I've produced perfectly adequate FMQ on other machines.
I was using a top stitch needle and Janome embroidery thread top and bottom.

Sorry I do not have a solution for your problem. But just to add that I'm also having the same problem with my Janome 6260! Irregardless of what tension I use, the bobbin thread always shows on the top. So yes, I do suspect this is the problem with Janome machines too. The funny thing is, when I brought my machine to the service centre recently, I highlighted this to them, they put the tension on auto and it was okay! Really, really weird....as it doesn't work at home for me. The saleslady however, did mention that it's sometimes due to a faulty darning foot.

I would like to hear too what solutions fellow forumers have on this issue.

I used my blue bobbin case for the first time...I did something wrong...now my bobbin will not move. My husband bought it to the dealers yesterday. I have FMQ'd with out it with no issue...not sure if I am going to use the blue bobbin case again...its a pain to unscrew the plate. It worked great without it so unless there is really a huge difference I will skip it in the future. - I did find using Quilting needles were very helpful, made a huge difference. I just use the auto tension and keep the dogfeed up.

I did find using Quilting needles were very helpful, made a huge difference. I just use the auto tension and keep the dogfeed up.[/quote]

When FMQ'ing the feeddogs should be down.

I really wish I could assist with the blue bobbin. I have a 6600 and haven't used a blue bobbin with it. I use my reg. bobbin and set my tension on 6 and have been good to go.

http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.c...on-filler.html - I have been following and learning from Leah Day who has a 7700 - she keeps her dog feeds up when FMQ'ing. It works...and looks great. I have made several this way.

get out the manual and make sure you have done everything on the 'list' to FMQ. I usually forget one of the steps.....

I have had similar problems and have had conversations with Janome, via facebook. I can honestly say I am very disappointed with their customer service. To my way of thinking, if the machine is advertised to "quilt' ( mine is a Quilt/Decor) it should do just that. Having to buy the blue dot bobbin case should not have been the solution, it should have been included in the machine package. I bought it, but still have problems. I do not think it is my incompetence either, my 40 year old Brother machine does the job just fine.

Have u checked with your dealer? I didn't mean that it was in any way incompetance. I used to be a dealer and still had to get the manual out and check each item on the list.....

Btw what does the blue dot bobbin case do?

The blue dot bobbin case is supposed to have a factory-set tension for free motion quilting.

Thanks - I hadn't thought of the possibility of a faulty darning foot (and I really did think I'd tried everything!). I may borrow one and check that.

Thanks Carol. I've tried the auto tension (would like to know what number that corresponds to?). Loops on the front. On my machine nothing higher than 1.5 works, and not always even at 1 or less.

I'm on the 6600 Yahoo forum because it's one machine I'm considering if I decide I have to replace the 4800. My impression is that some of these machines, like yours, are fine for FMQ with the standard bobbin, but others need the blue dot one. There isn't a universal problem with FMQ on Janome machines, but a worrying proportion of them do seem to have tension issues. The owner of my LQS went so far as to say "I don't believe it's possible to do FMQ on a Janome!" because of all the problems she'd seen in workshops.

I love Leah's site too -so inspirational. I emailed her and she was kind enough to send me a long reply. Her advice is basically to use the same colour top and bottom and just go for it! In terms of confidence issues with FMQ I agree with her, but nevertheless, there is a problem with my machine that needs resolving, or the loops will continue.

Believe me, I've done it all! I've started with checking how I thread the machine and put the bobbin in, and gone on from there. The manual doesn't actually deal with FMQ, but I've checked all that -feed dogs, stitch length, needle etc etc from various books.

ABSOLUTELY! The 4800 is described as a "quilter's edition". As you say, it therefore shouldn't need a separate, expensive bobbin case before it will quilt. I've spoken to Janome UK by phone several times over the past 2 or 3 years: the ladies there have tried to help, but they never admitted, before the blue dot case came out, that there was an issue with the machines - it must be my incompetence or the thread I was using etc etc. It was only when I tried FMQ on 2 Berninas and a Brother that I began to believe I could do it and that it was the Janome machine that was incompetent!

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I've really not had a problem with FMQ'ing on my machine at all. Feed dogs down, tension set around 6 and speed control set to med-low. Even stitches on front and back. I'm really sorry to hear that some are having these issues. I had the option to purchase that for my machine, but decided to try without first. My understanding was that the blue bobbin was for individuals not wanting to make adjustments to their machines tension.

In fact, I'm teaching a class and one woman had a Janome (can't remember the one) and she went right out of the starting gate beautifully. Even stitches, no eyelashes, etc. and didn't have anything other than the reg. bobbin.

Try without the blue bobbin and see how it works. Try your tension just a little higher # than your normal setting and if you have the capability, set your speed for low-med and play with a sandwich.

Pedal to the metal isn't for me, I need to take it at slower pace, sort of steady as you go for me. LOL


Good Luck!

Done all that! With the standard bobbin case I've sat there and moved the tension half a number at a time all the way from 1-9, have tried every combination of speed and movement, have covered endless practice sandwiches. This has been going on for several years: I struggle, try new things, go back to Janome and the dealer, give up again until next time. The machine is simply not set right for FMQ: it may occasionally work with the tension very high, but not often. I think it's basically an embroidery machine that's been labelled "quilters edition" and is just not designed/set to cope with the range of threads used for quilting.

I heard somewhere that machines with a top loading bobbin don't do as good of a job on FMQ as those with a front or side loading bobbin. I wouldn't have believed this until I saw it with my own eyes. I have a Janome Memory Craft 9000 that I bought brand new some 14 years ago. Every time I tried to FMQ, I got "whiskers" (loops) on the backside. I had the opportunity to use a friend's Bernina 155 to do FMQ and there were absolutely no whiskers anywhere. I think most Bernina's are front loading bobbin machines.

So I bought a used Bernina to do FMQ and it's one of the best sewing investments I've ever made. I still use my Janome for everything else (love that machine!), but won't use it for FMQ.

Go to a LQS and try a Bernina, you'll see it for yourself.

Interesting. I did try 2 Berninas recently, and also a Brother, and yes, you're right, absolutely no problems with FMQ. The dilemma there is that the only Berninas I could possibly afford are only standard-size machines - the 440 would be the top of my price range - and I was wondering about getting one of the longer machines to make dealing with big quilts easier.

It is interesting, I was inquiring to my LQS who is my dealer for the Janome. ( I have a Janome 6500 memory Craft) about getting a different machine for doing quilting on a frame. They were telling me they did not sell any frame, I then inquired about getting a Janome machine for a frame I was thinking about. She was quick to ask why I would want that machine ,what would I gain, she said I would just end up with lots of tension problems... Hummm must be something with that machine because she said that to me right away. I have the Janome that I do the piecing on and love the machine. I have a Juki that I do the FMQ on and it was doing the loopy stuff to me, but seemed like it was a direction problem because it would not do it all the time while going down the run. I too put the feed dogs up and use the sil pad over the feet and that seemed to fix the loopy's. but it was a Juki not the janome.
So in conclusion I think it must be the machine.. I don't think I am of much help except that I have heard that said about the Janome. Good Luck, it is very frustrating.

[quote=janell2009] She was quick to ask why I would want that machine ,what would I gain, she said I would just end up with lots of tension problems... Hummm must be something with that machine because she said that to me right away. I have the Janome that I do the piecing on and love the machine. I have a Juki that I do the FMQ on and it was doing the loopy stuff to me, but seemed like it was a direction problem because it would not do it all the time while going down the run. I too put the feed dogs up and use the sil pad over the feet and that seemed to fix the loopy's. but it was a Juki not the janome.
So in conclusion I think it must be the machine..[quote]

Fascinating. But at least you have an honest dealer - mine swore blind that the tension problems must be me, not the machine! It's really heartening to have my impressions confirmed.

I feel so fortunate that I found this thread! I just took my 6600 in to the dealer about this exact problem! Loops on the back and I had followed my manual. The guy said the upper tension needs to be set much higher than what it says in the book! He set it to 9. Now WHY wouldn't the manual say that?!!! I had cleaned out my bobbin case, so it was clean, but he used air to squirt into the area where the top thread runs thru the tension disk above the needle. He said there was thread fuzz in there (I had just gotten it cleaned a few months ago actually) but was using "old random thread spools" for my fmq practice the Leah Day way. After he did these two things it worked well for him. I got it home and started only using a better quality thread, with new needle and it worked fine for awhile, but even now, at random times, my 6600 Janome gets finicky and threads up in massive knots underneath my fabric (drives me NUTS!). So I rethread and start over again. I am about to start back fmq on my old $99.00 Wal-Mart Brother sewing machine! Janome needs to address this issue I think.

Interesting thread. I recently straight stitch quilted a baby quilt using my walking foot on the 4900QC but noticed many of the stitches were very uneven going from normal size to tiny. I thought maybe it was because I used a cotton flannel backing although the walking foot is supposed to eliminate this problem. There were no puckers on the back which I had hand basted,. I was considering whether to purchase the blue bobbin for FMQ, but I don't think I will bother. I also think Janome Customer Service in UK is very unhelpful. I love my machine for general sewing and piecing, but as a quilting machine it does not seem to live up to its name.

I deleted my earlier post but I just have to say that while I'm sorry some of you have issues, I have a 6600 on which I FMQ both with the supplied red dot case and hopping FMQ foot and the blue dot case and adjustable foot with NEVER a problem!!! I use my machine up to 8 hours a day and it has never let me down. So I am guessing that you few are unfortunate enough to have been supplied with faulty machines OR it is operator error or you are using sub standard supplies. I am a bit fed up with reading that this is an inherent Janome fault, I and many others use their machines with no problems at all.

Well k3n - I am so glad that you haven't had any problems, and that there are quite a few that haven't had a problem. However, I think this is a good forum to find out that perhaps there are people out there having issues. The relief that I have found is that it perhaps is NOT my fmq practicing, that it could possibly be the machine OR "sub standard supplies" that is causing it. Eliminating these factors, along with finding out it could POSSIBLY be the sewing machine has been a learning experience for me. This forum shows me what has been tried. I welcome other people's advice with working with the Janome and am relieved to see it might be a machine issue instead of a user problem.

Send questions to jpechlin. He is a Janome service tech and can probably answer your quetions. Just pm him here on the quilting forum.

I agree with k3n. I also have a Janome 6600 for over 3 years now, and while I have an occasional birdnest, it's usually because of my thread, and when I change threads and rethread, it's fine. I have a blue bobbin and sometimes use it and sometimes don't. I love my machine.

My Janome 11000, 1600P and 3160 QDC all freemotion well for me, with and without the blue bobbin case. I don't go really fast with my machines when I FMQ. I noted when I tried to really speed, especially with my 11000, I had issues with bobbin tension.
I really like my Janome machines. I also have good luck FMQ with my vintage Singer 301's, Featherweights and even the treadles.
I hope those experiencing problems get them sorted out. It's so frustrating dealing with tension issues.

And in case you're wondering why I have ALL these Janome machines, the 11000 is my "go to " machine, the 1600 is on my Grace Pinnacle Frame usually, with the feed dogs removed for now, and the 3160 travels with me back and forth to the trailer. It's overkill I know......:)

There may be several variables to look at when you are doing FMQ. Thread, Needle (14 at leat or a 16). Use a single hole needle plate and have the feed dogs down. Don't mess with the tension on the bobbin case. That is why you bought it and it just takes a VERY small adjustment to ruin it. Practice on a test piece the same as wht you are going to quilt. Start with the auto or 4 tension. Be sure the presser foot is up when you thread it and you get the thread in the take-up lever. Be sure the thread is in the tension in the bobbin case also. Our customers love that combination and are have great success with their Janome machines for FMQ. Hopefully you have been oiling the bobbin case race and had you dealer clean it for you. Hope this helps as I love all my Janome machines and like it when others do too.

I bought a Janome 3160 (Quilter's machine) in July 2010. After the 5th repair, because of bobbin issues, the machine was replaced by dealer. I've had it for about 2 weeks but haven't used it much since I purchased a Brother machine while waiting for the new Janome. I did that because the Janome dealer claimed that even tho the machine is meant for quilters - it isn't powerful enough to actually quilt a quilt. Huh!!!! The Brother is far superior and Brother customer service is also far superior. One week with the Brother and there was a tension problem. The dealer fixed it but reported it to Brother. Brother INSISTED I take a new machine even tho the problem had been solved.

I have a Janome 3000 and when I free motion I put feed dogs down and set my TOP tension at 2 or 3. I never mess with the bobbin and as for stitches showing through the tp I also learned that if you keep a nice steady speed this will not happen. I am still learning so I am not sure I have the right advice.

I too, am a very happy Janome owner. I have two 6600's that I free motion on with the blue dot and never a problem. I also have a 4900,9000,3160 (for class) and a 350E. Never had a problem with any of them. The 6600 is a workhorse. LOVE this machine as you can tell...have two of them. Keep one at the cabin and one at home...too heavy to lug around. I would not trade the 6600, not even for the new 7700.
D in TX

I'm sorry you are having such problems. All I can say is that I have found Janome Customer Service UK very helpful. I have the blue bobbin case which works perfectly. I also use a quilting machine needle which seems to make a big difference. I've read that either this or a top stitch needle are the best to use but not a universal needle.

I forgot to say that I use a Janome Horizon machine - magical harp space of 11"!

i haven't read on to all the posts... but there is a janome "forum", that is fantastic.... also an "ask Jan" there... it's at the janome site... she answers questions and they have categories that may just have the info you need... check it out... good luck

I can't say enough about my3 janomes... i quilt (on a grace frame with the 1600, not the top of the line... and when using the right thread and right tention... it's the best.... i have 3 other janomes and bought my daughter one... so perhaps your dealer is not being straight forward with you... there are "lemons" in all brands... if he can't fix your problem,,, then he should be honest about it... trade in for one that you can see work... also go to "janome forums" at there main site... lots of help there....good luck

bottom line is.. DON"T BUY any machine without a supportive dealer, that you get good vibes from and has a good reputation...i can't imagine buying anything over he internet, or by mail.... my heart goes out to people living so far away from any dealers.. :cry:

I have a MC 4800 Janome and don't change anything at all when doing FMQ.