i've been long-arm quilting for 10 years now- and can not use YLI quilting threads either- it's not your machine- its the thread-
i've been very upset in the past to go to a show- spend $18+ on a cone of thread only to bring it home and find i can not use it for quilting-
but it happens.
try to find quilting threads that are 50-60 wt threads- they do not have to say quilting thread to be used- i use alot of different threads for quilting- just not yli threads-
i've had very good luck with the machine quilting threads from Connecting Threads- and also Superior threads *superior threads have wonderful free thread/needle charts that will help you choose the correct needle/thread combination for any project- a very good resource* i buy thread by wt/fiber content- not by company name
in my long-arm trying to use cotton thread is usually my nightmare-
and when choosing by weight- the higher the number the finer the thread---12 wt thread is like a string- very heavy/course---50 wt thread is quite fine---silk thread is often 60-100 wt.
the reason the numbers are how they are-is based on how many miles of thread it takes to get a pound---if it takes 20 miles of thread to = a pound--that is 20 wt thread---if it takes 40 miles to = a pound that is 40wt thread....ect.

[quote=ckcowl]i've been long-arm quilting for 10 years now- and can not use YLI quilting threads either- it's not your machine- its the thread-

[quote]

Yes, I'm sure it's the threads, not me, and the machines in that these two don't seem to have a tension setting that will allow these thicker threads through the discs.
I love all the information that Superior provide: in fact I may email them about this. I took it as just a one-off when I had the problem with the Janome, but it became really disappointing when the 201 was the same.

Always a possibility :) . But I don't think it's me in this case, as I've no problems with any other threads, just these thicker ones. I did talk to the Janome dealer and Janome themselves about it a while ago, and they just said use finer threads.... I suppose it was unreasonable of me to expect a machine labelled "quilter's edition" to take machine quilting thread :roll:

That's what i use too and never had a problem

I'll have to have a look for Connecting Threads -not sure how available they are in the UK. My standard is Superior's Masterpiece, which I've used successfully for quilting - but I just love the King Tut colours!

I used poly thread from Connecting Threads my machine a Viiking didn't like Superior Threads.

did you try different, larger needles?

The thread's sticking in the tension discs, so I didn't think the needle would make any difference.

What model Janome do you have? I have the 6600 and have no problem with the King Tut threads, or even Aurifil 28 wt!! I have also had no problem getting a heavier Connecting Threads Essential through the tension discs (but stopped using that thread because of all the fuzz it creates down in the needle and bobbin area!).

I suspect your discs might need to be cleaned. Perhaps you were using a thread with a lot of fluff, and the fluff is now embedded in the discs??

King Tut is a great thread, and IMO not too "thick" to get through the tension discs.

Mine's a Janome 4800. I've just had it serviced to check the tension discs, but this problem continues. Similarly, my "new" 201 had been thoroughly cleaned and serviced. I'm relieved to hear that the 6600 is OK with King Tut, as I'm hoping that one happy day, if I ever find the money, I'll have one of those!