Pulling my hair out - FMQ (trying to learn) on Janome 6600 - GRRRR
 

Can someone help me. I have been trying to learn off and on for about 4 years to Free Motion Quilt and every time I think I am determined to stick to it until it clicks. So far I have given up every time. Now I think I am doing worse than ever. My thread keeps breaking. I have checked everything and even put different foot on to do straight sewing to see if the thread breaks and it doesn't. I have tried about 6 different threads and it sews for 10 seconds and then breaks when trying to FMQ. I have the feed dogs down, FMQ foot on, fast machine, slow hands - what am I doing wrong. I think I did the very same thing about 3 weeks ago on a practice piece and it looked decent - not good - but decent. Any suggestions? I have tried a different needle and it didn't help.

I love doing stitch in the ditch and have no problem - hide my stitching very well. I read where so many people say that SITD is one of the hardest and I have no problem with that. I have a quilt I'm trying to quilt and did quite a bit of SITD on it but have areas in each block that needs to be filled in and would love to do a little FMQ in them - nothing fancy - just stippling/meandering.

Frustrated!!!!! to say the least. Pat

Just some ideas. Try a new needle and depending on the size you have in now a larger one. Also use a top stitch needle, which has a large eye, a large groove and is a stronger needle. Make sure the thread has a clear path, sometimes a small nick on the end of the spool can hold up the thread and cause it to break when doing FMQ. Try keeping your feed dogs up, sometimes that actually works better than down.
Hope maybe one of these ideas will help. It can be frustrating until you get the hang of it.

Make sure your quilt is supported on all sides, if it hangs over anywhere it will creat a drag on your stitching. Although you have a fast machine, have you tried reducing the speed, also turning tension down to zero. This is one thing you can't use your auto tension on, hope you get this worked out.

Have you taken your Janomee in for it's yearly service yet?? Your thread balance if it is off slightly will show up more prominent when doing FMQ over SITD. The WORSE time to learn FMQ is when you are under a time constraint.

I learned and carried out all my FMQ on my 6600 before I had the 8900. All machines, even the same models, differ and it's a case of trial and error to find out what works for you and your machine. Sounds as if your tension is too high. I had my 6600 on 2 or 3 tension, had my speed on middle setting. You will also find that the stitch Mode 2, number 11, works better than the utility stitch.
Used a topstitch 80/12 and successfully used King Tut, Masterpiece, Mettler Silk Finish, Isacord, Gutermann, YLI. Finer threads such as YLI Soft Touch or silk I could fmq with a TS 70/10. I used the metal fmq foot which comes with open and closed toe. An important item - do you have the "blue dot" bobbin in the machine - the tension is suited to fmq - and I also used the little plastic bobbin washers.
I think you could be manoeuvring slightly too sharp and too fast and could be why the thread is snapping. Slow down a little and move the fabric smoothly. I found the machine on fast speed also gave snapped threads, and that it was better to have the speed control on middle but use my foot to control the speed.
I did countless practice pieces before I was proficient though, it takes a while to find out what works for you and your machine. I hope this helps some.

I am learning fmq and the best tips I have received are - use a topstitch needle, set your tension to 0 and start out with machine speed at medium. I also invested in the Janoop (sp?) suspenders, and they have worked out great to support the weight of the quilt.

When I did FMQ I changed my stitch length to zero.

One of the main reasons for thread breakage is a needle-thread mismatch. Start with a really, really big eyed needle, like a top-stitch needle, as someone said. With it, use a fairly fine-weight thread at least until you've found a "safe place" with little to no thread breakage.

And try polyester thread -- a hush fills the room ;-), although the idea that you shouldn't mix cotton and poly is a well-repeated myth ;-). Trilobal poly will be less nubby than cotton and thus less likely to catch in the quilt sandwich and break. Leah Day (the 365 quilt block lady) uses Isacord poly, but many of the poly threads will do. I even use Maxi-Lock swirls, in my longarm quilter. Although it's actually a bit nubby, it's fine-ness makes up for it. It is fun and holds up really well! But a trilobal poly will generally be smoother. The high-end pros like Karen McTavish use Glide trilobal poly.

You also want the needle to be nice and sharp. It has to make a clean hole through the quilt sandwich to prevent shredding the thread in the fabric sandwich. So make sure the needle is new and not damaged.

And patience helps. Watch some of the quilting videos online. Use them to help you develop a medium-speed rhythm.

And yes, another vote for setting your stitch length to 0.

This is one of those areas where a hands on teacher can help. I would check with quilt shops in the area and see if any offer a FMQ class.

I too have a janome 6600p and did a lot of reading because I seemed to struggle with the FMQ part. I would say you have a lot of good advice already from other posters but if that does not resolve the issue have a look at the following interesting items : http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...a-t171947.html

http://content.janome.com/fusetalk/f...&threadid=1893


http://freemotionquiltingadventures....lt-set-up.html

what threads are you trying. For me I had just about every thread break that was cotton except for king tut which is long staple egyptian grown cotton. Also had more success with poly. I had practice off and on for about 4 years and just recently with the help of craftsy classes just started to have some success. I recommend a topstitch needle and using poly or if you really love cotton king tut is the best of all brands IMHO the only one I haven't tried is presencia but all the others had shredding. Topstitching needles have a wider hole and groove for the thread which causes less shredding. Some of the breakage can also be due to moving the sandwich too fast. Don't give up, I almost did and finally it just clicked and I feel it will for you too if you give it some time

speed queen teflon washer. go to lea day she has them and shows how to trouble shoot. the washers fixed mine when that happened to me.

oh the washer fits under your bobbin. my thread was breaking top and bobbin no ryme or reason.

My Janome likes the feed dogs up, stitch length 0. Keep trying you will get there :)

Does it break when you sew normally? Maybe try going slower - I set the speed at about 50% for FMQ.

I'm lucky, I guess...I can FMQ on my 6600 and all I have to change is the speed and the foot. I don't change tension, no special bobbin case...I don't even drop the feed dogs anymore. It just...works. (I still kind of suck at making it go where I want it to go, but that's a lack of practice on my part; can't blame the machine for that!)

I use Aurfil or Precensia thread - both are very fine and Precensia is pretty tough. Maybe try a thinner thread?

I used to get a lot of looping on the back before I slowed the machine down, which seems counter-intuitive since usually looping is caused by moving the fabric faster than the needle. I think having the needle move at a slower rate makes me more relaxed and careful overall.

thanks for asking this question. I have a Janome 6600 so this is all good info for me. I use King Tut thread and I have good luck with that. I set my tension very high.. like 8 or 9. I recently FMQ an entire quilt by using the start/stop button.. no foot pedal. I really liked that I do drop the feed dogs

It sounds to me like you are pulling your fabric along faster than the speed of your machine and consequently it causes the thread to break. Slow down and live and let live, (your thread, that is.)

I just started FMQ on my 6600 a little over a year ago and just started off doing samplers, then potholders and table runners. I attended a workshop with a quilter who has published several books and I have also purchased a couple of Craftsy FMQ classes that I can watch over and over. Both were confident builders.

I'm not perfect, but I do enjoy what I am able to accomplish now. I can easily FMQ crib, lap and twins but I rent a Long Arm at my LQS for anything larger than a twin.

Don't give up...you'll find your groove.

When I was learning on my Janome 6600P, I was so frustrated. I took my machine in and found that I did not have the settings at the top properly set. Let the dealer help you to make sure you have the proper settings - not just stitch length and tension but the other settings for this model as well - the manual is not very clear on this part.

Can I make an odd suggestion? Try stitching in the ditch fmq. I always do mine that way and I think it has helped me to learn to control my speed and the quilt. Maybe if you are doing a movement that you are already comfortable with it will help. You are used to the speed that your hands are moving for that machine speed and the sound that goes along with it. If you are still having breakage problems you will at least have taken your movement and speed out of the equation.

I have a 6600 and do a lot of FMQing on it. I like a size 90 topstitch needle. I usually use Aurifil or connecting threads cotton thread. I have wanted to try the trilobal poly for a while. Need to go find some!!

I also bought the special bobin case. Not sure that it really helped all that much. I also have the slippery mat (sew slip? I bought on Amazon).

It looks like you have a lot of good suggestions above. Did you find anything that helped?

Don't know whether this will help but Leah Day says she always quilts with the feed dogs up. She used to use Janomes. Don't know what she uses now. She has a blog and teaches something new each day.

WELL I was taught metal to the pedal but in my case that did not work for me. If you can slow your machine down it may help that is what did it for me. I also used the silk thread it is real fine and very forgiving sure I made mistakes but when I got done it looked okay Well what it did for me was to give me the courage to keep trying and using heavier threads and different designs. I sure hope you keep trying you should do it every day for at least 10 minutes or more you will be surprised by the end of a week or so.

THank you for asking this question and thank you to all the ladies that have given great advice!

The Janome machines require you to move the tension dial to 6. I know it doesn't say that in the book, but the dealer and sales rep I deal with both say this is so. Works for me.

I just finished fmqing 2 queen size quilts on my 6600. I always start with a new needle (I use Organ needles). Feed dogs are down, and my tension is set between 8 and 9. I set the speed control about 3/4, and always use the foot pedal. That way I can really control the speed. I use thread from Connecting Threads in both the top and the bobbin (no special bobbins, washers, or case) and have no problems now. However, I have had lots of practice. As others have said, if you move the fabric too fast, that can cause the thread to snap. Also be sure to keep your quilt as flat as possible around the needle. Don't give up!

Or join a guild where members are happy to help you and bring in instructors once or twice a year. Some quilt shops also give lessons, but be careful with that. I see you list Leesburg and I'm in Ocala. Our guild is terrific at helping you learn and is open to anyone for nominal dues. The Villages have quite a few guilds, but I think you actually have to live there to join. FMQ is not my area of expertise, so I have no suggestions. I'm a PA-FL gal, too!

Lots of good advice from everyone here. The only thing I can add is, try using a thread stand. I'm a Janome girl, owning a 6600 and 8900, and I use a thread stand to feed all my thread through, no matter what size or brand spool I'm using. I've heard that Janome's can be thread snobs, but I have never had a problem with breakage or snagging when I use the thread stand. Practice on something other than your quilt, maybe a mug rug, to test it out. Good luck!

I too, use 0 stitch length and sew slower. If my thread breaks a lot I will mist the thread cone, because sometimes it is dry and tends to break.

I use a 90/14 or 16/100 top stitch needle. My favorite threads are King Tut and YLI variegated threads. Make sure that your quilt isn't dragging and puddle it in your lap.
Sharon in Texas

I want to thank every last one of your for your responses and help. I think I am on the right track. I have followed everyone's suggestions - a lot of them were things I was already doing/trying but there is such a combination of different things that I'm not sure what I changed that did the trick - like someone said "trial and error". First of all I think that the only thing I was doing differently to start with (compared to when I was quilting halfway decent) was a different bobbin - and I think I have a few bobbins I need to get rid of - including the one that was in my machine. Changing it did make quite a difference.

Then by one suggestion, I remembered I do have a "blue dot" bobbin case and bobbin washers that I haven't used before. Also the Slider (I knew I had one but couldn't find it - which happens often when you go back and forth North and South twice a year). I took the time to really do a thorough search and did find it.

I took some of the suggestions to try leaving the feed dogs up and stitch length to zero, slowed the machine down a bit. I do use Start/Stop button all the time.

Whatever, I seem to have gotten a rhythm that seems to be working and wrote a note on every setting I am using so that I can go back to it in the future. Now I need to - like EVERYONE says - practice, practice, practice. I took one of the many orphan blocks I had and sandwiched it and played with it. I'm enclosing a picture of the stippling/meandering (forget the difference between the two - I think it is acceptable.

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Coopah - I sure wish Ocala was closer to Leesburg. I'd love to be able to go to your quilt guild. I have gone to several guilds that are not quite as friendly as yours sounds.

Quiltmaker52 - where about are you in Leesburg. I'd just love to have some hands on tips/help by someone with the same machine - Janome 6600? I am here 7 months and in Pittsburgh, PA the other 5 months.

Well done!

"Z - any mouse" - what kind of thread stand do you use? I think I would like to use one of them for my Janome 6600 with all the different size thread spools I use. I also read somewhere that the thread feeds off them more smoothly.

I use an embroidery machine needle and have not had any problems.

I had same problem. Same machine. I did invest in FMQ plate & foot. that did help.. Alos purchased the quilting/walking foot SID & I love it. It guides along so SID comes out really nice. Made a big difference.

There was a glitch in making the 6600 I found out through my dealer. He said always raise your feed dogs before shutting off the machine. Then turn machine on and wait just 30 sec or so then drop the feed dogs for FMQ. This information was given from the main manufacturer. I had my machine in for the same problem you had about 4 times and they finally really checked it out. Try it and see if it works for you. It did for me.

YAY!! Great job!