janome sewing machine skipping stitches.
 

my janome 1600p is skipping stitches and breaking threads. i tested it before i put the and it was fine. what makes this happen when i put a quilt on? I have picked out stitches until i am ready to give up. any ideas would be appreciated. I have changed the needle cleaned the feed dogs loosened the thread tension nothing works . this quilt is a Christmas present, looks like it may not get finished. My husband says get rid of the machine but i think it is probably a tension problem and i will be first to say i don't know much about getting good tension.

Sounds like the wrong type of needle to me. I would try a jeans or a topstitch needle. What are you using?
It also could be too much drag on the quilt sandwich. Make sure you it is supported and not pulling in any direction when under the foot.

Could be a thread problem, change thread and try again. Not all machines like every thread. When I've tried everything else often I find a thread change fixes the problems. ( sometimes I think, why didn't I try that first?)

I am using a Schmetz HL High Speed needle as was recommended by Janome Dealer.

What size needle are you using? You may need a larger one.

i would say drag and pull on quilt needs to be distributed better.

I find it better to use same thread top and bottom, change needle as maybe a burr on needle, if you are FMQ have you loosened your tension?

Try zig zagging, and if it doesn't pick up on one side, the timing is out, and will need to go to the repair shop. Good luck!

What size? Size is as important as type, especially with FMQ.

Edit: Also, the type of thread you are using can determine what size needle you need. What thread are you using in top and bobbin?

Edit 2: A common cause of this problem is also having a tiny piece of lint or thread stuck in the upper tension discs. You can "floss" your discs with multiple strands of thread between your hands, or by using *unwaxed* dental floss.

get rid of a 1000.00 dollar machine? Tell him to bite his tongue. hard :)

How long has it been since you've had it serviced? The new machines are really finely machined, and lint gets everywhere we can't. all the ideas above are good. Please come back and tell us what worked!