Thread breaks! Janome 8900 QPC
 

I have had my Janome Horizon 8900 QPC for two weeks now. The last few days, I have had a lot of upper thread breaks while FMQ. I have changed my bobbin, changed my needle, re threaded the machine and it is still happening! I can sew about 50-100 stitches and it breaks again! I took it in to the dealer today and he told me it could be the bobbin tension. I bought another bobbin case and he adjusted it with a looser tension for FMQ. Still having same issue! I am so frustrated! Anyone having similar issues?

I discovered after many, many broken threads that when I moved the fabric under the needles it pulled the needle over just enough that it cut the thread against the foot. You might try Sewer's Aid, it is a thread lubricant that works well for me. I know you are frustrated and I wish you speedy good luck.

I've had my 8900 just over 12 months. At first I nearly went mad with fmq - breaks and skipping. Then I got some Janome purple tip needles - end of problem.
Seems that the machine "bedded in" as it were, because after a couple of quilts, I returned to other needles. Have just finished a couple of heavily fmq'd quilts with J. titanium 70/10, and Aurifil 50 wt.
I've not done anything with bobbin tension, just have the machine on 'auto'.
But I have found that it will not use Schmetz needles like my 6600, only Organ (who also make the Janome needles).
There is a very slight difference in the length of the two brands - Organ needles marginally longer than Schmetz.

join "the club."
i had the same problem until i switched to Organ brand needles.
nothing else made any improvements.
as long as i use Organ brand i almost never get eyelashes - and i am really not good at free-motion.
if i put 60wt thread in the bobbin, i rarely get pin-dots on the back, either.

since Organ also makes the Janome branded needles, there is no need to spend extra on the "official" needles.

it was very annoying to not be able to use any from my huge collection of shmetz needles, but Organ is less expensive. building a new collection has not "broken the bank."

this is so interesting to know! such a tiny item making such a huge difference

This is good information. I am interested in learning more about the Organ needles because I have a Janome embroidery machine. Is there an on line source you use to purchase the needles?

Needles
 

Kens Sewing Center. com/muscle shoals Al. carries Organ needles as well as other brands.
They will mail them out the same day they get your order.
I bought my Janome there and have been in the store many times as well as calling placing orders.
they have a web site.

eBay has tons of Organ needles. There are many listings, but here's just one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORGAN-15X1-S...item1c27c775b9

I buy all of my embroidery supplies from http://www.allstitch.net/ I've found that my Janome embroidery machines(200e and 350e) don't like Schmetz needles, well actually it's the needle threaders that don't. I have no problems with Organ needles. I use size 11 sharps in my machines, not embroidery needles and I buy them in bulk. My BFF and I order together so we split the cost of shipping or get free shipping when our order is large enough.

I also won't fall for the hype about using the more expensive titanium coated needles, especially in my embroidery machines. If there's ever a problem I'd rather have the needle break before it causes damage to the machine than have damage caused to my machine because the needle didn't break.

Cari

I bought organ needles from discount embroidery.