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Originally Posted by ka9sdn
Having the bobbin in correctly is very important. Like the one lady said it must come off from the top and like it is coming off counter clockwise and be sure you have it pulled to the back--gives good inst. in the manual. Keep trying it is good.
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I have read all the girls tips and I agree with the going to the dealer to learn tricks and just plain old working the machine. I didn't sew on my Baby Lock Ellegante Embrodidery machine for months being so afraid of it. They gave free lessons where I bought it and took the bull by the horns and went in for them. WHAT a difference to have just some little things shown to you. I had sewn sense a teeny bopper and thought I could do it alone. NOT true with all the new things a machine can do now days.
One other thing about the thread breaking. Be sure it isn't old thread. I had old thread on wooden spools. Teacher told me to throw any wooden spools away. Yikes. I never throw away so had a lot of them. LOL |
I have the Horizon and LOVE it. For FMQ you must have the adjustable foot set so that it just skims the surface. I use a 90/14 topstitch needle.Slow down your speed control. If you are getting the eyelashes on your curves you are most likely going too fast around the curve - slow down. I also quilt with the plate converter closed. Most teachers will tell you that you need to practice, practice, practice and you will get better. Good Luck.
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I have the Elna 7200 QDP (half-sister to the Janome MC6500)and all this talk about the Horizon has me itching to upgrade! I love my Elna and I even have a mid-arm quilting system now but I'm still getting machine envy--LOL!
As for being afraid of your machine, I also only had mechanicals until after I started quilting (and made enough money to afford a good computerized machine--LOL). My first computerized machine was a Singer Futura CE-200. I wanted a sewing & embroidery machine and it was the first one I could afford. I got out the manual and went through every single page several times. I setup the embroidery unit and just played with the built in designs. Then I went through every single stitch and played with the widths/lengths on scraps. Then I put it in straight stitch mode and just sewed & sewed & sewed. The teeny tiny throat soon drove me crazy and the credit card was paid off so I started shopping the "new back then" 9" throat machines and finally bought the Elna. I did the same thing with it that I did with the Singer. It does all kinds of fancy stitches and I have tested them but quilting is what I bought it for and that's all I really care about. Hubby keeps annoying me about the buttonholes on both machines and I just hand him the manual--LOL! |
I have the horizon and it is a wonderful machine. Just take the time to learn about all the extra's it offers. You will eventually love it. If you can take a lesson with your machine you will will find out about adjustments for thread, special feet, etc. lessons are always a good thing.
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I have the horizon and it is a wonderful machine. Just take the time to learn about all the extra's it offers. You will eventually love it. If you can take a lesson with your machine you will will find out about adjustments for thread, special feet, etc. lessons are always a good thing.
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Hi; Have had the 7700 for a year and love it. The eyelashes on the back when free motioning come from going too fast in the curves-slow down and try it on a practise sandwich. I asked at my dealer and was told this. Now I slow down a bit around curves and it works out fine.
RLCH |
I do feel your pain, I too got a 'big fancy' after using basics for all my sewing life. Three years ago, when I bought the big fancy, I left it in the box for three months before I worked up the courage to open it! I have been using it for basic sewing until Saturday. I had a few hours alone, so I dug out the manual, and decided that I was not going to be beaten by a machine I waited years to own. I called The customer service line, explained what I was doing, and they were kind enough to walk me through how to change stitches, how to use the alphabet, how to use every button on it. We were on the telephone for over an hour! I even figured out how to make it sew sideways! Janome has as good a reputation for customer service, as Brother does, so give them a call. Get a few instructions to play with, then go play. Call again, get a few more instructions, and go play again. You might get lucky like I did, and get a customer service rep who made it her JOB (which it really is, but you know what I mean) to get me comfortable with this "big fancy". I have always wanted to be able to make button holes, (I collect buttons) now I can do it by pushing 1 button. Whoopee! Work at your own pace, and make it YOUR machine. Good Luck dear. :D
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regarding this: The machine won't sew if the presser foot isn't down.
When FRQ'ing you guide the fabric around. Do you mean the needle won't work? |
You say the bobbins are identical on both sides but you may still be putting it in upside down. The thread goes around to the left. Check your manual.
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1) Why did you want this particular machine? 2) What features did you specifically desire on your new machine? 3) What is the first thing you want to sew with this new machine? Now, look at your manual for the desired things you want to do with your new toy. Sew a quilt? How do you set up the machine for the perfect 1/4" straight seam? Want to embroider a design? Go to the manual and learn the step by step for that. My point is learn just one thing on or about your new machine and go to it. Soon it will all be second nature to you and taking lessons from your dealer may be the place to start. But above all enjoy the learning process.
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The bobbin is identical on both sides, but unwinds in a different direction, depending on which side you put down. If you have it flat, it needs to unwind across the top and come toward you when it goes in. Then thru the little slots and up away from you.
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After I got the horizon, I went through the manual page by page and tried everything that was shown. It's not the best manual, but it helped me get familiar with the machine.
If this doesn't help, lug the machine back to the dealer and get some help. The Yahoo group is great but you might find greater benefit in one on one, face to face assistance. A lot of dealers will also provide help with questions over the phone, particularly if you live a distance. Finally, maybe the machine just isn't for you. But you won't know until you've gotten some assitance with it. Good luck. |
I think maybe the machine is just intimidating for you. It might be worth the 50 mile trip to learn more about it. Someone posted about their serger --- same thing. Intimidating until you learn to use it.
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I also found some instructional videos on line. You can make sure you watch all of those.
The needle shouldn't always stop down, however, unless the little light is on (on the front). The default is "up". (I'd actually prefer down.) I, too, was afraid at first, to try my machine. But I got over the fear. Haven't tried everything, though... |
I have the same machine and i have not done the FMQ and going to to but still same thing trying to get used of my machine and all it can do. I like the 1/4 inch Accufeed foot that i purchased for it for quilting better than the 1/4 foot that came with my machine. Great for piecing and material feed through nice. Would not sew without it . So if you can let me know if you find out the secret to FMP let me know as i want to try it on mine . I had a fast run down on my machine the day i got it and the dealer is there any time i want lessons or ad questions .
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If your Horizon is like my Janome 6600, check to be sure you are inserting the bobbin in the correct direction. I didn't sew on the 6600 for six months because I couldn't get the tension to work at all. I even took it back to the dealer and they found nothing wrong with it when they tested it.
It turned out that I was putting the bobbin in with the thread coming out clockwise instead of counter-clockwise. After figuring that out, I never had another problem. Such a simple thing, but caused a big problem. Check your manual to see which way the bobbin should be put in....just in case it's a simple thing like that. |
Originally Posted by P-1
The bobbin is identical on both sides, but unwinds in a different direction, depending on which side you put down. If you have it flat, it needs to unwind across the top and come toward you when it goes in. Then thru the little slots and up away from you.
Also, about the "it won't sew if the presser foot is up" issue someone asked about. It's a feature in many of the computerized machines. If you don't put the presser foot lever down--it just beeps at you. Mine also shows a picture on the LCD that says Lower Presser Foot and even a little picture of it being lowered. I often feel like it is laughing at me when this happens! |
When all else fails - go back to your dealer for some informational visits to straighten things out. It might just be one small thing that you are doing that could make all the difference. They sold it to you, they should have made sure you knew how to operate it correctly and efficiently. Good luck.
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I'm sorry you're having those problems. I had a machine once that so intimidated me so I understand what you mean. But, if you bought it from a dealer can't you take it back and get some instruction on it? I hear they are great machines. Good luck.
Angela |
I'm sorry you're having those problems. I had a machine once that so intimidated me so I understand what you mean. But, if you bought it from a dealer can't you take it back and get some instruction on it? I hear they are great machines. Good luck.
Angela |
I have this machine and I agree it can be a bit over- whelming. You aren't turning the knob on the side to lower the needle are you?? My machine JUST hates that when I did it at first. I haven't tried FMQ but I have read somewhere if you have trouble it might be you need a different bobbin case. Why, I do not know. I love my different stitches and I will never used the buttonholder either, but my DC2010 had it also. Relax and do not let it get the better on you.
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Originally Posted by sparkys_mom
the back is eyelashing like crazy and the thread seems to fray and break a lot
Thread fray and break...you are not using the right kind of thread. I only quilt on a longarm, but I know that quilting stresses the thread and you need to use an extra-long staple cotton (I use Superior Threads King Tut) and you will have much more success. I admire anyone who can quilt on anything but a longarm - hurts my shoulders when I've tried to quilt on my DSM. |
I wish you lived closer..I had the same issues at first...took me a few months...now I love it!!
Originally Posted by sparkys_mom
Okay, I admit it! I am thoroughly intimidated by my Horizon!! I've had it for three months and barely touched it. I keep coming up with reasons why I can't use it "right now". Prior to this purchase, I was using a very simple and straightforward Brother. I find myself wishing the 7700 didn't have all those feet and stitches and would just stick to what I wanted it for - the huge throat, piecing, and quilting. I do not now or EVER want to make buttonholes.
Today, I finally made up my mind I have to overcome this. I have done a few sandwiches to practice FMQ and that's improved a little bit but today, I decided to move forward with a small quilt that is ready to go. So I did a little practice run and then I put in thread and bobbin suitable for the quilt and started another practice run - the back is eyelashing like crazy. I rethreaded the machine (BTW the thread seems to fray and break a lot) and reloaded the bobbin. Same thing. I have done it three times now and am ready to cry in frustration. I have used Leah Day's suggestion on machine settings - which is to use the Supreme Slider, leave the feed dogs alone, D1 setting, Stitch Length 0, QVH Foot, and Needle Down. And that's another thing - for awhile the needle always stopped in the down position - now sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. It's probably pilot error here but I'm ready to start making boat anchors rather than quilts. |
I found the gene washer helped me alot...and use a quilters needle. Thread type..I use Gutterman with really good luck. Once you get the hang of it you will love it!! Make sure that your bottom thread is pulled to the top...that is very important. these videos do help. I was threading mine wrong...LOL http://content.janome.com/index.cfm/...sory_Tutorials
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I have had the Horizon for about 2 months, and I jumped from a very basic, 25-year-old White with 13 stitches to the Horizon. I didn't try FMQ for a few weeks, opting instead to "playing" with the different stitches and piecing with it. Hang in there. When I did try to FMQ, I loved it. I leave the feed dogs up, and I don't use a Supreme Slider, but do use the D1S stitch. Did you go through the automatic plate converter steps? I have had a few thread snarls, but after cleaning out the bobbin case, it was fine. Make sure your bobbin thread is coming out counter-clockwise. My tension is at 7. (I don't mess with that much). I find I really only use the 1/4" foot, the QVH foot, and the A foot. I may use some of the others when I make the draperies for our bedroom, but not sure yet.
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Did you machine come with owner classes. Our store offers free lessons as many times as you want to take them. I took my owners classes twice for both of my machines.
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I have a Horizon and love it, no problems so far. My old machine had the problem of making a rats nest underneath. They blamed it on improper threading, metal bobbin, or foot not down. I only had it for 20 yrs, so I thought I had this all down. I did find that sometimes it was not catching on the hook inside, where it runs thru the tension. Put the foot down, and pull the thread to see if it is pulling smoothly.
Or call your Janome man, someone there should be able to help you. My dealer told me I could come in anytime for a one on one. They told me to go home and get the basics and then come back for hands on with them. I love the little man that hides behind the bobbin and cuts my thread. |
I love the little man that hides behind the bobbin and cuts my thread.[/quote]
He's a Keeper!!!! |
Originally Posted by scrappylady
I love the little man that hides behind the bobbin and cuts my thread.
He's a Keeper!!!! |
Hi..I've had my Horizon for a year and love it...it's well worth persevering with it. As someone said..it's only a machine, and only concentrate on what you want it to do for now.
One thing I didn't see mentioned regarding the free motion quilting and eyelashing and thread breaking...I assume you are using the adjustable free motion foot that came with the machine? Make sure you have it adjusted so that it just barely skims the surface of the quilt (I found that out the hard way..lol). If it's too high you will get thread breakages and all sorts of problems. There's a screw on the right that raises and lowers the foot. And also, as mentioned, try slowing down a little. Hope you come to love your machine as I do mine |
the bobbin thread has a certain way of coming off the bobbin and into its tension, maybe look in your manual or if you got a DVD with it I would spend some time going over those parts to make sure it is threaded correctly. New machines can be very intimidating, just tell yourself, I'm very capable of figuring this out and take your time either looking at pictures on how it is supposed to be. It will get easier, as you play around with it. don't be afraid of it.
Good Luck Suzy |
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