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 don't have a Horizon, but I had considered it. Have you joined the free yahoo group? It's a very friendly, helpful, active forum, with a few professional quilters and educators as well. I'm sure they could help. Don't get too discouraged, it's supposed to be a great machine. I hope it starts working smoothly for you soon.

Hi,

I recently bought a Horizon too and was just as frustrated as you seem to be. I went and sat down at the dealer for a quick lesson and learned sooooo much. To FMQ all I do is drop the feed dogs and change to the free motion foot and it works great. I just finished FMQ a small quilt and had no trouble at all. I know it is not what Leah Day suggests and I am sure she knows way more than I do but this works for me. Hope you solve your problem soon because it really is a great machine once you get the hang of it. Let us know what works for you.

Actually, I posted this exact same message to the Janome Group over two hours ago but the Yahoo Group apparently isn't working for me either as the message has yet to show up. I figured I would at least get some responses here.

Maybe go back to the dealer for some lessons? My Janome dealer is always willing to help with problems and go over the machine.

I'm definitely going to have to do that. Not looking forward to hauling my machine 50 miles to the dealer, though. :(

I feel the same way about my serger.

Yes, I'm beginning to think I should have stuck with a simpler machine.

I have the Horizon too and have never had the thread break or have any other kind of tension issues. I would start from the beginning again, new needle, re thread with a different thread maybe and give it a go on your practice sandwich. It FMQ's like a dream so don't give up on it, make sure your presser foot is down.
Is your needle down light on? If it is and the needle isn't stopping in the down position, I would take it back and get the store to look at it for you.
It is a beautiful machine and well worth getting used to, if the store you bought it from offers free lessons, I would take them up on the offer, it will make using it so much easier. I also had a little Brother before this big machine so it is a lot of getting used to

Right size & type needle for the thread & fabric?
Good, strong thread--no fuzzies, brittleness, thick/thin slubs?
Bobbins wound smoothly and not too full or lopsided and inserted correctly?
Presser foot pressure set to 0?
Top thread tension set looser than normal?
Feed dogs down?
Presser foot down? My machine won't sew with it up.

If it's anything like the 6600 ( and from what I've seen and heard they're very, very simialr close) you have to start in the needle down position to end in the needle down position.

I don't know about the Horizon, except I wish I had one, but are you pulling the bobbin thread to the top and holding both thread ends to start? Maybe you don't have to do this on the Horizon, but on my Bernina it's a must.

Your dealer didn't include a few lessons with the sale? Most do. It's really important to take a series of getting to know your machine classes to be able to make the most of your purchase.

Don't be intimidated by it; it is only a machine. Forget about all the stuff it can do for now and concentrate on making it do what YOU want it to do.

Try sewing on a single piece of folded cloth. If everything is OK when you do - tension is OK, stitches look good, no puckers, then it is probably operator error. If you are still having eye lashing and thread breakage, reseat your bobbin. It sounds like you may have it in upside down.

Right about now I'd sell you one cheap. :hunf:

To answer some of the suggestions: I'm using Superior's King Tut thread and the recommended needle. The bobbins are identical on both sides so don't see how I could have one upside down. The machine won't sew if the presser foot isn't down. I did try to switch to the DS1 setting for FMQ which is what they have in the instruction book and then it REALLY growled at me!

I decided to leave it for the day and try some piecing. That, at least, has gone well enough. No problems with tension or shredding thread. And it always stops with the needle down! I do have to get used to the 1/4" foot as it has a little fabric guide on the side that I don't like. Someone gave me a 1/4" foot for the Brother like that and I don't like it, either, but I have another 1/4" foot without the guide and do much better with it. Since the one I have is the only option for the Horizon, I'll just have to figure out where to set the needle to get an accurate seam.

The dealer said he gives free classes but there are no scheduled classes. You just have to request it. I've taught many a computer class and I know there is a big difference between people who are experienced and know what to ask and those who don't so I'm hoping this won't turn out to be one of those where they just ask what do you want to know. :?

I have a Horizon and have practiced FMQ with good results. I followed the instructions in the manual.

I will buy it cheap....my GF works for a Janome dealer and does the lessons!

I have a Horizon. I have only had my thread break for two reasons, bad/wrong needle or a tiny piece of thread stuck in the machine I love mine.

Are there formal lesson plans that Janome requires? My dealer has been less than forthcoming about this.

First of all...check and make sure your needle is in correctly; then rethread. I have the Horizon and have never had a thread issue with it. Sounds like it is just user error.
As for sewing, it is just a machine like any other. You can use it as simply as you chose. Your dealer should be willing to help you with any issues you are having if they want to stay in business.
Good luck and hope you can figure out the bugs...it is well worth it!

This was actually shredding. I had done a couple of sandwiches earlier with the same thread and had no problem. Just today it was cranky.

I know everyone seems to love it and I really want to!

That's a good question...I don't know. Bernina requires dealers to give classes. I did receive classes with my Janome but they're a great dealership. I would imagine Janome does require some sort of education with their machines. It may be a question you can start for another thread?

I don't have the Horizon but thread shredding usually means bad
needle...either wrong size or just a bad needle. To check if the needle
is the right size for your thread, hold the needle in your hand and thread
it then hold each end of the thread and see if it slides. If it sticks
you'll know you need a needle with a slightly bigger hole.
Hope you can sort this out. I wouldn't give my business to that dealer again
if he is so unwilling to help.

I'm sorry - I didn't make myself clear about the bobbin. What I should have said was it seems like the thread is coming off the bobbin in the wrong direction. Instead of from the top it is coming from the bottom of the bobbin or vice versa depending on your machine instructions.

If you look at your bobbin like a clock face, the thread end should be at the right of the bobbin at 12:00 position. If it is upside down the thread end would be at the 6:00 position. I know, clear as mud.

If nothing works talk to the dealer. It could be that you need a Low tension bobin case.

Which I do require on my Elna 740, which is made by Janome too and almost the same model.

I have the Horizon and love it.

Some things to try. Use a larger needle -- or even change the needle as there could be a burr. The FMQ foot should be adjusted so it just barely rests on the top of the quilt (no pressure). There are 2 FMQ feet -- you may want to see if there is a difference when you use the open toe or closed toe. Slow down the speed -- it may be that you need to get used to FMQ with the Horizon at a slower speed and then up the speed when you are more comfortable (I still find myself happier going slow).

Here is a link that has some tips:
http://content.janome.com/index.cfm/...otion_Quilting

Don't worry, it happens. I didn't touch my babylock espire for about 6 months for the same reason. Now I love it and can't imagine not having it. I have had it almost 2 years and am still learning new things about it. You will grow with your machine. I still love my little brother though. Just sewed on it yesterday.

A lot of the yahoo groups' msgs has to be approved by the moderators before you can see it, so give it sometime and evetually you will get a lot of responses.

I have the Janome 6600P and I use a metallic needle when I FMQ. If I were you I would get out the manual and start at the beginning. Follow it step by step as to how to thread your machine including how to make sure the bobbin is in the proper way. Find a good tutorial on the 'net for FMQ and watch it a couple of times. MOST IMPORTANT thing I can say is RELAX, it is only a sewing machine and soon you will love it. Please don't give up on it, you are already headed in the right direction by asking for help on here. Good luck.

Be patient...it will come. I don't have the Horizon, but, the 6600 instead. I was intimadated by the machine as well. I had never owned an expensive machine, let alone a computerized one. It sat silent for about 6 weeks and one day I just went to it. I didn't read the manual, and didn't take classes, but, I don't prewash fabric either(LOL). Now maybe I haven't used the machine to it's fullest potential ( I have never made a buttonhole with it) but it pieces like a dream, FMQ without too many hiccups and the Accufeed for quilting is awesome. As far as classes, if he is a reputable Janome dealer, they have to take classes for the machines they sell and that's usually atleast twice a year(here in Canada anyway) So, be patient and explore your machines' possibilities...but most of all...relax and have fun.

I feel your pain as well, except my extravagant machine is a Bernina 820, not a Horizon. It's so saturated with great features, that I feel guilty just using it for piecing and quilting, but that's what I've been doing with it. I tried the fancy lettering, which worked fine, and tried the BSR, which I don't care for (one of the main reasons I bought the machine). I don't like feeling out of control while the BSR determines how fast my machine should be stitching. Maybe if I had never FMQ before using the BSR, I'd feel differently. Anyway, just thought I would let you know you aren't alone when it comes to not using your machine's many features. I commend you for sticking with the FMQ, because I know how frustrating it can be. I just finished FMQ my first "meandering" quilt, and it took me forever. I must admit, it was worth the effort. I gave the quilt to a friend who found out she has breast cancer, and I felt good about giving it to her. :) Enjoy your Horizon!

I'd check to make sure that I've put my foot all the way down. I've done this and its taken me a while to figure out why all the foolishness was happening. :O Then came the DUH!!!! When I FMQ I put my feed dogs down. Leah Day admits that she doesn't do things according to how the manf. has instructed and she is not responisble for any damage caused to your machine by using her method. I don't think I'd take the chance and maybe voiding a warranty for miss use. I'd follow what the manf. has suggested.

I have a 6600, but very similiar to the 7700.

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.

Go back to your dealer for a lesson. I bought my Horizon a year ago and truly love it. Best machine I've ever had. I haven't explored all of the things it can do, but I will eventually get there. My dealer has a once a month quilt class where we are making a block or two a month and each month we use different stitches, etc. on our machines. It has taught me so much about my "Big Red". Be sure and read your manual -- I go back to it often and it's amazing how much it helps.

Thread fraying is sometimes the fault of the needle. Try using a topstitch needle size 14. The eye on it is larger.

I have a Horizen and was intimidated with it as well - took me about 3 weeks before I actually used it. Had some problems at first as well.
Here are a few things I have learned:
1. bobbins work best if they are only about 2/3 full
2. need to use Janome bobbins ONLY
3. I do this everytime I change fabric: take out my practice sndwich - change the tension on the top to 3 - sew a few stitches - change it to AUTO and then sew a few stitches - and then - magic !! no eyelashes.
4. At the advise of the dealer I take the foot plate off and clean after EACH project and also replace the needle after each prject.
Now I rarely have a problem
Hope that helps. . . My dealer has lessons for life !!

Ooooh, I'm having a serious busybody moment .... I want to sit at your Horizon and play with it and see if I can get it to work right. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to play with new machines. It's too bad you live so far away or I'd be knocking on your door! The more complicated and more features, the more fun it is.

We all seem to be assuming your problems stem from something minor, like a bad needle, ornery bobbin, whatever, but there is the possibility that there really is something wrong with the machine.

My advice: Turn the machine off, take a coffee/tea break, get calm and come back to the machine and start all over again ... new needle, new bobbin, re-thread the machine, drop the feeddogs for FMQ ... and just pretend for a while that this machine has not been making you crazy.

I have had my Horizon for about 16 months, and despite a few glitches (two motherboard replacements!), I love it.

Topstitch needles are essential IMHO, especially with the King Tut thread. It is one of my favorite threads and for a while there I thought I would never get it to work with this machine!

Try loosening the top tension, I find I have to do it trial and error with every project. I always make practice sandwiches using the same fabric/batting.

Really, it will get better!

One other thing that noone else has mentioned is the batting and the thread. What kind of batting are you using and what kind of thread? If you are using a batting that has a scrim or any amount of polyester batting and using a cotton thread you will have a nightmare. The poly batting acts like sandpaper on the thread and causes it to shred and break. Also if you have eyelash problems on the back are they on the curves only or even when you go straight? If they are only on the curves slow down on the curves. It is like driving around a hairpin curve with your car you want to slow down. Also if you are changing directions you will want to stop and hover for a second or two. You will find that you will have improved stitch quality over all.