My Janome machine won't take either YLI machine quilting thread or Superior King Tut - they're too thick and jam in the tension discs (and believe me, I've tried every possible tension setting). I assumed that it must be a quirk of that machine, as if they're sold as machine quilting threads, they should work on a machine - right?! I've just bought a Singer 201, specifically for FMQ because of the problems with the Janome, and am very surprised and disappointed to find that I've got exactly the same issue. Do other people have this problem or have I just been very unlucky?

Sorry you are having problems with those threads. I haven't tried machine quilting thread, I use the cotton Essentials Thread from Connecting Threads and my machine loves it. Maybe you should just switch to a regular cotton thread.

I'm just reluctant to admit defeat! If they say they're machine quilting threads, an obstinate bit of me insists that they should work on my machines - or at least on one of them!

check out this video about machine threads...... http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/blog.php/blog_id/4268 then check your thread to see if it has "memory". If so, then it's probably a waxed or coated thread.

I have used the King Tut with no problem in my Brother and Janome. I hope you get the problem sorted as it must be frustrating :(

I have a temperamental Bernina Love King Tut but took some trial and error to get it working Have found I have to use correct needle to thread

I do not know what model Janome you have but I have this for mine.

http://www.amazon.com/Janome-Tension.../dp/B002F01SY0

It is suppose to help with the issues of FMQ on it. While I have not yet had the opportunity to use it, it does get rave reviews in the Yahoo group. I hope you resolve your issue soon!!!!

I can't even get as far as thinking about needles, as it won't go through the tension discs! It seems weird that I should have the same problem on 2 such different machines -simple 1950 vintage workhorse and 8 year old mid-range Janome - so I'm curious to know if this is a common problem with these threads or I've just been very unlucky. I'd love to be able to use King Tut - wonderful colours, and Superior is my favourite brand.

i also use king tut on my janome 11000 with no problem and love it
good luck
Gale

Take one of your machines and the thread to your nearest machine dealer. Since it's happening on such different machines it's more likely something you're doing or not doing right.

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!

The fact that you're having the same problem with two machines and one of them a 201 really says it's something you're doing or not doing. A 201 will sew with anything as long as the needle eye is big enough for it. King Tut is not a thick thread. All the King Tut I have is 40/3 which is barely thicker than a regular 50 piecing thread.

I use King Tut on my Janome quite a bit. I changed the needle to a 14 top stitch needle because the thread shredded whan I used a smaller sized needle, but I didn't have to mess with the tension. I've found that I have better results with the larger topstitch needle when I use black 40 weight cotton threads also.

I know you are saying it jams in the tension disks, but have you tried using a #14 top stitch needle with the larger eye and deeper groove? Have not experienced your problem on my Janome. Hope you find a solution.

WOW! I feel pretty stupid, because I've been sewing for over 40 yrs. and quilting for around 5 now and I didn't even know this about thread. Thanks for the info ckcowl. You learn something everytime you log onto this site! I love it.......

I had a question. Does anyone on here use Aurifil thread? I was just on Keepsake Quilting and they had a 10 pack of 50 wt. Wild Rose....gorgeous....for $40.00. Just wondering if that was a good deal?

Is your presser foot up or down when you are threading your machine?

I think it is the needle, not thread. Some have larger "eyes" and let thread pass through easier. (i.e., Topstitch vs Universal - has nothing to do with the needle #) I'm new to learning about this so can't give you specific advice. Try using a loop or magnifier to compare eyes.

i have a 1600 p janome on my long arm and when i bought it they said to use superior thread 50 weight. i have tried other but they are right that is the only thread that works just right for me.

Are you sure that it says Machine quilting thread on the spool, or just Quilting thread? I think that you may have been trying to use hand quilting thread in your machine and it will gunk up your tension discs. The only "quilting" thread that will not do this, to my knowledge, is the Mettler brand. Otherwise, I think you should just use plain thread when you are quilting by machine. Hope this helps.

When we first got our machine we purchased one spool of many different brands of thread and tried them. You just have to find the one your machine likes.

I was told once upon a time by a machine repairman that "my machine only likes ___" means "I don't know how to adjust my machine for __" It's just a machine and will use anything. The biggest problem is not having the right thread and needle combination.

You are threading with your presser foot UP...aren't you?????

I have a Janome and use King Tut for quilting. I haven't had trouble. try the 90/14 needle. I use it for everything.

Try Glide thread. It is thinner and quilts beautifully. I have used it to FMQ on both my Janome and my Gammill. It is the one thread that I do not need to adjust the tension everytime.

I have 2 Janomes and use YLI all the time in them to do FMQ. I agree that you should take your machine and thread to your dealer and show the problem.

Just wondering what the weight of the thread is that you cant get to go through the tension discs. I use coats and clark machine quilting thread which is all cotton, and the thread is 40 wt which is actually pretty thick. I have a Brother 1500s. Sounds like you might ought to vist the sewing dealer you purchase from and explain it to him. 40 weight is not an unreasonable weight thread.:)

Check with Superior Threads - www.superiorthreads.com or 1-800-499-1777. Their website also has a helpful "Thread Reference Guide for Home Machines" that has five columns of information for each thread it manufactures. Maybe you can find a sewing machine repair person who is not locked into a specific brand machine. All this aside - it sounds to me like you are threading your machine through the tension disks with the presser foot down. None of my machines cooperate when the foot is down. Check your manual. Some actually warn you against this practice. For instance, the first sentence under "threading the upper thread" for my Viking Sapphire 150 says to make sure the presser foot is raised and the needle is in the up position.

I have a Viking,and a Baby Lock and so far the only thread they both like is Coats and Clarks machine quilting thread.
Im lucky cause Joanns has it and I can use a coupon.
Connecting thread they hate and it fuzzes up the bobbin area fast.

Please get in touch with Superior and they will try to help you work out the problems with the machine and the thread. I had some thread that would not run on my longarm machine. I was about to toss it out when a rep from Superior told me to call the main office. They were very helpful and they guarantee their thread. Ask for Pat she was great to work with. I got the help I needed. You might be able to do the same with YLI.

I use Aurifil and don't have any problems -- it does not shred and is not linty.

I just had prolems with my Baby Lock for the first time this weekend working on DH's Halloween costume. Used regular Coats and Clark sewing thread and Quilla went on strike. I changed the needle, fiddled with the tension, all to no avail. Changed thread and she sewed like a charm.

Is it possible that you have some residue in your tension disks? Do you pull the thread out the needle, or do you ever pull it backwards? I switched to a forward only motion when I change thread to avoid anything getting hung up in the machinery. Hope you get it resolved quickly.

I often use the same weight of thread for piecing as I do for quilting (just change the color). Good luck finding the right match.