kindleaddict63

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

Dolphyngyrl

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

cindypierce

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.

cindypierce

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

woody

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

Sewnoma

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.

meyert

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

Yooper32

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.)

jmoore

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.

Jan in FL

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.