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Quote:

Originally Posted by DogHouseMom

I have a 6600 - and I guess they are similar machines. When I first got it I thought the machine was very finicky because it didn't like different threads in top and bottom - whether piecing or quilting. But over time, getting used to the machine I guess, I no longer have the problem.

I'm getting ready to quilt a landscape quilt and it will have lots of different patterns and thread panting - so I'm making lots of practice sandwiches. My first choice of thread was a 50 wt connecting threads "essential" with a Gutterman 60 wt in the bobbin. I've got the tension worked out - 8 - YES 8!!

so you are free motion quilting at an 8? what happens when you don't get tension? does it catch on the bottom?

So .. ignore the books and whatever anyone else tells you. Keep working out the tension as YOU sew. The tension is just as dependent on the speed of the machine and your hand speed as it is on the type of needle, thread choice, and fabric used.

And yes. Clean out the machine completely :)

I have a 6300, and I check my tension every time I sit down at my machine. Yesterday my tension was at 3 and today it's at 6...Janome's are just little divas aren't they?!

Quote:

Originally Posted by wannaquilt1

so you are free motion quilting at an 8? what happens when you don't get tension? does it catch on the bottom?

Yup. FMQ at an 8 with two different threads in top and bobbin and my Janome isn't vomiting thread! Not catching, just nice beautiful stitches. The 'test' I did yesterday was pebbling and your going to have tension problems I would think you'd notice it then. I also did some straight stitches.

Bear in mind though, 8 is what worked for my machine speed, my hand speed and my sandwich. My sandwich test is very strange as I had to come close to duplicating my landscape quilt.

I took 1 piece of scrap 12" x 6" and folded it in half. In the middle I layered several scraps of batiks - some overlapping just like they overlap in my quilt top. Then I have 1 layer of flannel (my chosen "batting"), and 1 more layer of fabric (backing). So I'm quilting through a LOT of "stuff"!!! Which just means ...keep playing.

check your needle! are you using a microtex, sharp, universal, or metallic...it can make a difference!