I almost panicked...but I solved the problem!
 

The other day my Janome 7700 was sewing badly. I figured there was thread in the tension disks, but didn't know how to get to them--they've pretty much managed to make them impossible to get to.

However, I pleaded with my DH to open up the front so I could get it them better. he couldn't get the front panel all the way off without breaking something, but he created more room for me to work on it.

After a while, I decided that surely the tension disks were ok in the front, but in the back, where the thread tends to migrate, it wasn't grabbing the thread--so that meant something was stuck in there. I couldn't see it, even with a magnifying glass, flashlight, extra lamp, etc. I was desperate! Why? Well, I bought it on line from a dealer about 5 hours from here. There is only one authorized Janome dealer in Poland, I've heard and it is about 5 hours in another direction....The thought of packing it all up in the boxes, finding the receipt, trying to get someone to look at it and fix it was more than I wanted to think about.

So, back to work I went. I finally cut a very small piece of cardboard about 1/4" wide by 4" long and stuck it gently down the back side of the tension disks, where I couldn't get to. When I pulled it up, up came the glob of thread you see in the photo. I grabbed it with my tweezers and was rejoicing. My DH was already in bed--I had been working on it for a while, but I told him, "It's fixed!" It sewed beautifully again, so I asked him to put the covers back on again.

So, I'm grateful--so grateful. I had never had to try to find threads stuck in the tension disks before--maybe it is because I hadn't sewn as much as I have in the last 10 years or so. I had a Pfaff Hobby that had had those problems. When I realized what it had to be (thread in the tension disks), I was able to find it and remove it, but with that machine I could get to the tension disks more easily. This Horizon--they've made it almost impossible!

Anyway, I'm putting pictures of the problem, the mess, the tools and I used and why I couldn't get to it without removing the cover at least somewhat.

I may have invalidated the warranty by doing it, but it is worth it to me--the very thought of the hassle of packing it up and sending it off somewhere, after finding a courier--it's more than I want to deal with!

Oh my! But so glad you solved the problem and can sew again!

all the Dr's tools and yet what a job, huh? I'm so happy for you to have gotten it fixed, without having to package it up to send it away to get it fixed.. I know the feeling of being so far from anything close to get anything fixed; I'm not quite that bad off as you - but here I live in the midwest, USA, and have to drive a 100 miles any direction to get anything fixed - buy good fabric, or just have a nice shopping day- disgusting many times; So I can relate - have a happy day sewing and glad for you it all worked out fine....

What a mess. Glad you could fix it. Mine did that too; just locked up; had to take it in and that's what was wrong with it. Except, it was my embroidery machine. So, now I make sure when I change threads, I cut at the top and pull loose thread down through the tension.

I have the Janome Horizon 7700 and I want to thank you for taking the time to post this. I have not had this problem....yet...but when I do, I will have an idea what to do. Very generous of you to take the time.

Thankl you so much for the info! I am so glad you got your machine running again!!!!!

Good for you - my husband is very handy too - we are both lucky to have help. I think you did great figuring out the problem then solving it - I am sure that you saved some money too -now you have more money to spend on projects or fabric. Bravo...

Wow , you are a proof , that where there is a will and determination ... you will find a way. Thanks for posting this valuable info.

I bet you had a hard time not screaming your victory at the top of your lungs in the middle of the night! Good for you! You must be so proud!

You are my kind of person. I would do the same thing you did - try to fix it myself. You go, girl!

Good going. I hate how hard it is for us to fix such small issues. They make the machines so you have to pay a small fortune to have a repairperson remove a simple thread nest. And waiting for that repair is awful if it's your only good machine.
I applaud you!

Kat

Good job!!!! I'm glad that you were able to fix your problem with your sewing machine and it always gives us satisfaction to know that we fixed the problem.

Well, yes it was difficult to keep from being too excited since DH was trying to sleep, but I thought some of my friends on QB would understand. !!!

(It wasn't so very late--only about 10:30 when I managed to get it out!)

:)

Congratulations on a great save!

Your perserverance paid off big time! It is so wonderful to figure out a problem and save lots of $$$, good for you!
Thank you for posting your article, am sure many of us will benefit from it:thumbup:

Glad you fixed your machine and back to normal. BTW--Everytime I clean my Janome 6600, I use a pipe cleaner and a Q-tip and gently get into the deep parts. Q tip is great to get every last bit of fuzz in the bobbin case area. I even use a tiny dot of sewing machine oil on the Q-tip.

Happy dance for you :)

Congratulations; so happy you were able to solve the problem! Happy sewing!

Good for you!!! Thanks I have that machine and hope I do not EVER have a problem like that although I nearly always have trouble with my machines. I think some days I am afraid of them and they can sense it just like dogs and horses!

I am glad you got the problem solved.

I learned to sew in Junior High, but when I was in HS and my mother purchased her own sewing machine (I took over the Singer Treadle) she kept having this problem. She fixed it by using a playing card (thin and coated so glides easily) and would clean out the tension discs. We figured out the problem was because she had been changing threads by pulling the thread up from the needle and machine using the spool of thread when changing spools, instead of cutting off the thread and pulling the threads downward toward the needle. I can honestly say I have never pulled the thread out by the spool, as what a pain it was to remember to clean those discs for her. Thread goes downward from the spool toward the needle when sewing. That is the same way I take it out when changing thread. And I change a LOT when using my embroidery machine. I can't get to any tension area on my Babylock Ellegante, so would have to take it in. I still use a playing card on my Babylock Jane, and follow up with dental floss. Glad you came up with a solution instead of having to take it in.

Good for you! I would have panicked too. Just think of how creative you got!!!

I have a question for those who pull it from the bottom. Often, my thread breaks, so I thought I have no choice but to pull it from the top. Any suggestions?

I have a white Quilters Star with tension like that, I stopped using it years ago, after about 5-6 years of use. My Baby Lock Jane and Juki TL98Qe has tension discs that open wide when I put the presser foot up and I occasionally blow on them. I can see into them. Usually my problems come from the bobbin area.
I'm so gald you got it fixed.

Great Job!!!! I always ask DH to help ... he is a wonderful troubleshooter, me not so much as I have no patience. Just wish I could get my Janome 1600 to quit breaking thread. The only thread it seems to accept is Mettler. I am trying to use a variegated King Tut and breaks about six times each row. ARGGGGGG

Love your pictures! We have to be Jack of all Trades sometimes! Good for you! I just had a smaller problem with my machine, but I could reach my tension disks...I used dental floss to clean them.

On this one site sewmuch4retirement.com it showed how to take a $1 bill and run it thru the tension disks every so often to clean them out. It's geared to cleaning a Viking but a sewing machine is a sewing machine and somethings are the same.

You've earned your "doctors" degree! Looks like this was quite an extensive operation! :)
Good job!

My friend has a Juki short arm (not sure of the model) that she is constantly taking into the shop to fix the tensioning problems and thread nests, so I will be sure to tell her about the tips here. Glad you fixed the problem and keep on sewing!

Women are so resourceful !! Never give up, just persevere & alas, fixed !! Congrats to you for such a good job.

One of the first things my retailer told me about my Bernina 820 was to NEVER pull the thread out towards the spool.
When changing threads cut at the spool & pull out from the needle or there would be tension disc problems. So far I think I only forgot once & so far so good.

I am so glad you got it fixed. I do the same as sash now. I cut my thread at the top and pull it through the bottom. I read that tip from someone on here and whoever you are "thank you". It really makes sense because that is the way the thread feeds through the machine.

So happy you were able to get it fixed. You are obviously persistant and ingenious. So glad you didn't have to sendit off. A tool that may come in handy some day is one of the bent dental mirrors. I have one that I have had to put to use before. You might want to check on getting one of those. Handy for a lot of little things around the house.

they told me a dollar bills work for this too.

Congrats and job well done! happy you can sew again.

Good for you. Its amazing what we can do when we have to!!! Great job fixing your problem!! So many people are afraid to tackle a problem like that. So glad you were brave enough to try!!!!!

Good for you for solving your problems. We can do anything if we put our minds to it.

I am glad you got it fixed yourself.

wow!! good for you and your persistance!

I have the Janome 6600 and have always followed the instructions to do just this - cut thread and pull forward rather than trying to save a few inches of thread by pulling it backwards through the machine to un-thread it. Now I know why!! Love these stories based on the ingenuity and perseverance of woman!