I agree with everyone on the weight of the quilt BUT please don't dismiss the one saying the walking foot could be defective. I was having all kinds of problems on a quilt with really small stitches and it was the walking foot. I had worn it out! The little grippers were kind of worn off, but there was something wrong in the mechanics of it and it had to be replaced.

I learn't on my very first quilt using my very first Janome that if I went too fast I would get tiny tiny stitches. Slow down and make sure your quilt is supported - no drag. Keep going, don't give in, you're in charge.

Don't forget to check the thread path. It could be the thread hanging up somewhere.....like on the edge of the spool or a burr. Rethread your machine, change the needle, lengthen your stitch. Look at your walking foot to see that it is working OK. do a test sandwich....I hope these checks solve your problem.

My machine is Janome although it's labeled Kenmore and it does the same thing. I have found that if I slow down and make it an even pace the stitch regulator works much better and I don't get those tiny stitches. Why it does it when I speed up I don't know.

I set my sewing table in front of the desk, so the quilt can move from the sewing table onto the desk as I sew. To the left of my machine, I set up a 2x4 foot table, and then another t able beyond that to support the quilt. It's a big mess when I'm quilting, but it sure does help. It also helps me finish up a quilt quickly so I can put my family room back together!

Some times when the quilting is going along well..I have duh moment and push or pull on the quilt..moving it too fast..which is what most likely why u are getting the problem..with the small piece..u most likely don't get into the rhythm of quilting long enough .to get to that place.

I have a Janome 6600 and I have , at times, realized that my "pressure" hadn't been adjusted. So easy to forget.....

Are you using a walking foot, that usually makes a difference. Make sure you are not tugging on the quilt while sewing. I hope you are not planning on quilting every 1 1/2" square, in my opinion that's too much. Make a sample, rethread your machine, change the needle and try again. I know my Janome can get a tad fussy at times, so I would try the above and it should help.

I agree, it sounds like a drag problem. My machine [also a janome] sits in a narrow table that came with machine. To counter act drag I use a card table to the back or even on the side for support. This has worked extremely well even on a king size quilt. Card table came from goodwill $10.00. It folds up nicely for storage. Keep going girl it will all turn out great.

I agree with all of the comments. But, I also have one to add. Make sure your bobbin thread is inserted properly. Sometimes mine is not threaded properly and this has also cause me problems with the stitches.