I have 3 different Janome machines, a Memory Craft, the 6600 and the AQS. On the 6600 and the AQS, I am frequently having trouble with the bobbins when they get towards the end. The bobbins are Janome brand bought at the Janome dealer and are wound on the Janome machines. They look perfectly fine but when it gets down to maybe 10%, it starts making a mess all over the material and knotting up. Once I put in a new bobbin, everything seems fine. I've cleaned out both machines. I just don't understand why I'm having the same problem on 2 different machines. Any ideas?

I'm interested in the answers you'll get.
I have a Janome 350e but so far no problems.

OH--WOW---I thought it was just me. I have a 6600 and a 550 (I think that is what it is) but anyway, I am having the same problems. I am anxious for replies.......

I own 2 Janomes (MC10000 and MC11000se) and have never had any problems with their bobbins. I'd speak to your dealer/repair person.

I have the 6600 and no problems with my bobbins. I assume you've taken the plate off, taken the bobbin case right out and given a good clean all around the works with a brush? Otherwise, perhaps you are not winding the bobbin correctly - you have to thread a length through the little hole in the bobbin and hold it between you fingers then wind a few turns to secure it. Stop the machine, trim the thread end off then push the button to finish winding. I'm sorry if you ARE doing this then ignore me. :-D

Well, I spoke to soon. The newly wound bobbin just did the same thing on the AQS again AND it ripped the material for a second time.

k3n, I don't stop the machine and and trim the thread end. I wait until it's all done and then trim it at the end. Do you think that would make a differenc? I bought the AQS and 6600 because I had the MC for years and never had a lick of trouble with it. I can't really say the same for the AQS and 6600. I'm ready to toss the AQS out the back door! :) Of course, if it's operator error, perhaps I should toss myself out!

I agree with k3n.
This is how I was taught to wind the bobbins and do not have a problem.

I'll try that and see if that works. You're right, the manual says to do it that way but I didn't think the machine was THAT picky. I've always wound them and then trimmed.

I wind the bobbin like k3n and I still have the problem. I even snip the little end that might be hanging from the beginning of the threading if it is showing through the bobbin. Any other suggestions???? I really do love the Janome machines and I guess I have just put up with this little quirk---as soon as I hear the sound of the bobbin beginning to cause me problems----that is when I take the bobbin out and rewind new thread.

Well, that didn't work either! I'm getting too frustrated with the machine to work on that particular quilt for awhile. It's really aggravating because it's just sewing a bunch of squares together. It's not like I'm asking it to do anything too complicated. I bought the machine in April and it really hasn't been used that much. And honestly, this is part of the reason why!

Thank you for your suggestions. It makes me feel better to know that I'm not the only one having this issue with the Janomes. Maybe I'll go work on something on the MC.

hmmmm, when i fill a bobbin on top i hold the end of the thread i've put through the hole in the bobbin top until the thread has gone around the bobbin at least three or four times, stop and trim the thread, then continue filling.

so far, no problems. i have a MC4800

I use Superior Threads pre-wound bobbins in both my Jems: Gold and Platinum, no trouble
http://www.superiorthreads.com

I've switched to the Memory Craft and IT has no problems with those bobbins. I think it's the AQS. There are times I wish I had never bought it. My husband bought it for me to take to quilt class because the MC is so much heavier. He's been wanting to get a Featherweight for me, maybe I should let him and take that to class!

I have to say, this trouble with the bobbins is making me think twice about a Janome embroidery machine. When I visit the dealer after Christmas, I think I'll ask them about this bobbin trouble. If I get a good answer, I'll let you all know.

I dont have a problem either with my 6600 - but the manual does advise against using the bobbin right down to the end of the thread and saying there could be this sort of problem when there is hardly any thread left on the bobbin. 10% remaining is alot though.
Mine will sew fine until its all used.

I have this problem too. After I get the warning that the bobbin is almost out, I watch really close and stop the machine just the minute it gets caught. If I don't it affects the bobbin case and I've messed up 3 or 4 and had to buy new ones. The problem is with the little end thread that is first wound on the bobbin. it starts getting stuck and the machine tries to use it as well as the thread it should be using. If I am machine embroidering, whenever it tells me the bobbin is about out, I immediately put in a new one and use the small ends for straight stitching when I can watch and stop it the minute the little end starts to get caught up with the other thread. This happens with the prewound bobbins as well as the ones I wind myself.

Have you tried using the little teflon disks in
that go in the bobbin case? I think they're called Little Genie magic bobbin washers or something like that. They're supposed to cure all bobbin woes. Just wondering.

my friend uses them and has offered to give me one to try. I kekep forgetting to ask her for one to try before I buy some. She says they work wonders for her.

I've never heard of them, can you buy them at Joanns?

I have had my 6600 for almost a year and have done a lot of sewing and have never had a problem. Now thinking about getting the MC11000SE so I can start embroidery

You need to go to a quilt shop to find them.

I have a Janome3050. When the bobbin gets low it jumps in the bobbin case and the machine jams. I have to take off the plate and remove the bobbin case and aline it correctly and then continue. Since my machine is not a high end one there is nothing to let me know when the bobbin is low. It is a real pain and as a result I only use the Janome when I need a machine for a class. I purchased a Bernina to use most of the time.

Try the pre-wounds (L size not M) from Superior Threads

I have a Janome 6600 and have not experienced any bobbin problems. Perhaps you might try putting the tied end on the BOTTOM when putting the bobbin in. This way it will not get caught in anything. I don't know but it may be worth a try. Hope it helps. The only trouble I ever had was in winding the bobbin. Sometimes it just goes nuts and I get a very loose winding. Do not know what I did wrong bt I try again and it is fine.

I have a MC9000 and the last time I had it cleaned and all, the guy at the Janome dealer told me not to use prewound bobbins. Also do you use the little piece of paper thingy in the bottom of the bobbin case? The only trouble I have with bobbins is my cat loves them. Found 8 under the bookcase when we painted.

I have a Janomi 100001 sometimes when bobbin is low it bounces so I put a dime in the bottom of the bobbin case and it works.

I have a janome 6500, janome jem,and janome 350e and have never had that problem .I would call my dealer or try

im sorry , or try the little disc under your bobbin.

Did he say why?

I use the prewound bobbins in my Janome 6500 and have had no problem. Let us know why we shouldn't use them. Don't want to mess up a good machine.

When I first got my 6600 janome I had this problem with the bobbin jamming near the end. I found that I was trimming the thread too close to the bobbin when I wound it and it would slip out of the hole and get caught in the thread that was unwinding as I sewed. So I had to leave a little longer tail coming out of the hole. Does this make sense?

I never used bobbins wound on the machine. I perfer the prewound ones, they are inexpencive and have more bobbin thread on them than the prewound.

Lanny

I have 3 Janome machines and have virtually no problems. I've sewn on 1 of those 3 for a couple of decades. I think the key to having no bobbin thread problems is to be careful when you begin to thread the bobbin to ensure there are no tangles or loops and then, as k3n said, when it's secured, stop the bobbin winding process, cut the thread end close to bobbin and finish the job. It should then automatically fill evenly from top to bottom and back up again, etc., BUT mine don't do that on their own, so I give the thread a gentle "assist" with my forefinger until the bobbin is full.

Thank you for all the suggestions. I just ordered the genie bobbin washers and we'll see how those work.

it makes sense to me. i'm going to try combining that tip with the suggestion to load the bobbin with the little tail underneath.

dealers tell you to not use prewounds and generics because they want to come back for the more expensive name brand bobbins. that's my theory, anyway.

i've used janome, generics, and reusable prewound bobbins interchangeably on both my janome machines. absolutely no difference whatsoever in performance. i have waaaaaay too many empties now to justify buying prewounds but i love 'em. gooogobs and miles more thread than i can load when i wind them myself.

I've been having the same problem with my Janome, I took it in and had the bobin case replaced but it still dosen't work right, I thought it was something I was doing wrong but it seems like others have had the same thing happen. I have the 6500. :cry:
I bought a Bernina 440 and just love it, I don't have any problems at all with it. I loved the Janome till I started having problems I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one that has had that happen.

You just might want to try a different bobbin. I have two different ones, both ment for Janomes, but one is a tad smaller and narrower, it does not work well, other works well. Just my suggestion.

This is my first post so I hope I get it done. I have experencied trouble also. I made a felt bobbin washer I call it. Just cut a piece of felt the shape of your bobbin with a hole in the center and insert it under your bobbin in the bobbin area. This helps me. Also need to check your bobbins I find the ones that came with my machine work the best. The pre filled ones could be a slite bit smaller, or fatter and not set in the area correctly

I have a Janome 9000 and a 10000. The 9000 I bought new years ago and the 10000 I got used a few years ago. A short time ago my machine started acting strange when I got to the end of the bobbin. My low bobbin indicator was acting up also. I took it in and had it serviced - no more problems. The 9000 has never done this.
I've had the 9000 for at least 15 years and had no problems with it in all those years. I've had the 10000 for several years, used and this is the only issue I've ever had with it, and believe me - it gets tons of use. I don't think I would every own anything but a Janome. When our business sells - I'm off to buy the Janome 11000, whichever one is the latest greatest machine they have.
Merry Christmas to all of you, my friends.

I'm sorry you're having these issues. I have the 6600 and haven't had any problems at all with it. I did read the whole topic, but can't remember :oops: if this was said. When I wind my bobbin, I make sure that the thread from the guide to the bobbin is taut. Hold the tail and press the bobbin wind button. Then after a few rotations I stop the bobbin, snip the tail and continue winding. No problems. I use both the generic bobbins and Janome on mine. My thread has been used right to the end ( :oops: wasn't paying attention and continued sewing LOL). I bet no one has done that one!!! LOL

think I'll get my Janome out and try the sugestions, maybe I've been doing it wrong, thank you so much, I hope it works