long arm quilting with skipped stitches
 

I am using a janome 1600P on a long arm frame and can't seem to get rid of skipped stitches. Sometimes it works ok and other times not. I have tried everything and think it might be the thread. What kind of thread is the best to use? I have cotton quilt fabric and warm and natural batting. All suggestions welcome!

if your quilt (back) is too tight on the frame it will cause skipped stitches, I think a thread you usually use in that machine should work well.

When did you last change your needle? Make sure your tension is correct also.

I don't know about long arms but with my Bernina, that is telling me to check the tension because it may just be off enough to do straight stitching properly but not FMQ. Also a good time to check that you have the right size needle in your machine. Sewing machines are sewing machines. Good Luck

Try relaxing the quilt top a little in the frame. I use Aurifil 50 wt. on my Janome 6500 that I use as a sit down to quilt on. I found setting my machine to mode two and not dropping the feed dogs works better then dropping the feed dogs. I use a top stitch needle 90/14 Schmetz. From what I understand the 1600p is the same as the 6500 only without the bells and whistles.

As the other posters stated, check your needle and quilt tension on the frame.

i have that machine and when i bought it the sewing store told me to use superior thread. if i go
to fast mine will skip a thread i change needle every couple of quilts. i usually don't have any trouble
with mine.

Make sure you have a fresh needle and that it has been inserted properly. Sometimes just a little twist in the needle will cause this. I have learned that from experience.

...slow down a bit..maybe going too fast ....machine not able to make the stitch.

Skipped stitches check list
1. tension of quilt
2. needle position(installed incorrectly)
3. old needle
4. needle to small

If all else fails it could be the machine
5. machine timing
6. needle bar alignment(mine somehow shifted on me once, and was touching the plate as it passed through to the bobbin area)

When I quilt batiks I use a product called Sewers Aid on the thread. It lubricates the thread allowing to pass through the layers easier, but doesn't stain. I know some quilters will say don't use this but I think if Sharon Schambers can dip all her thread in mineral oil, its safe. I do this with all my thread and it has helped considerably with alot of issues. Here's a link to Sharon doing this. http://westmichquilter.blogspot.com/...-schamber.html

thanks for this interesting link... scary to dip the thread!

Does your machine also skip stitches in manual mode vs. stitch regulator mode?

I've had my longarm for 2 years now and have had mixed results with skipped stitches and have gone through changing the needle, adjusting my tension, making sure the quilt top wasn't too taut, bought a bobbin tension gauge, etc. I had only used the stitch regulator on my machine. About a month ago I decided to see what would happen if I switched to the manual mode. Before I called a repairman, I wanted to know if the problem persisted in both manual and auto mode. While I prefer how the stitch regulator "should" work with not stitching unless I'm moving the machine, I was amazed that by switching to manual mode I no longer had skipped stitches and thread breaking.

For me, I think that my skipped stitches in auto mode were due to the rough surface on my conduit pipes that were difficult for the encoders to properly read the movement. My local Home Depot only had one type of conduit pipe that would fit my machine. Not sure if there's an easy way to smooth the surface of these pipes, so.....I shall continue to only work in manual mode from now on.

Oh My Goodness woman, I feel your pain.
Make sure that you are using Organ needles as this is what you are supposed to use according to Janome. Try a larger needle and play with your tension. What might also help is if you lower the extension thingy that your thread comes off of, that way your thread is whipping out from so far up...and as others have said, slow down to the middle bunny, I mean rabbit.

What size needle are you using? When I put my Janome on a frame, I was using a size 14 needle and got skipping. Went to a 16 and it stopped. Most of my quilting friends use either a 16 or 18 (for frame quilting).

Side note - same group of friends, several have done the Sharon Schambers cone-dip thing and it works - without leaving oily residue or spots.

eta: Another thought - maybe try slowing down. I have a friend who owns a shop, she has 2 Gammills with Statler Stitchers. She runs them at half speed because at full speed, she gets more skipped stitches. It might take longer to quilt the quilts, but it's a better quality product and less frustrating than running them full speed and having to rip out and re-quilt.

Is your frame level and square?
Is the quilt a fingers height from the machine bed?
Are the skipped stitches when going straight? Or on a curve?
K