FMQ on Janome 8900QCP.....Help please!
 

I think I must be missing something for tension adjustment on this machine. For most quilts I try to use the same colour thread in top and bottom but really don’t want to on this quilt. Top thread would be grey, bottom purple. Both 50wt, same mfg and style thread. I have tried every tension setting on the machine and nothing works. In order to be clear of purple thread on the top I am on tension 3....and the back is not looking good. I have tried every possible speed on the machine, doesn’t make a difference. I see mention at times of bobbin tension adjustments....is this only on long arm machines? Any suggestions would be welcome.

Have you tried adjusting the pressure foot pressure? Lightening up on it may help ease the problem.... I know that you're free motion quilting, the the quilt sandwich is being compressed at the time a stitch is being made....

Thanks for your reply. The foot is floating above the sandwich and not really applying any pressure. I am new to this and never received any instruction on this machine....strictly video tutorials at this point. The manual hasn’t helped at all. Just very frustrated right now!

I have the Janome 8200 (a less expensive cousin of the 8900) and I found what helped was switching to a titanium topstitch needle from Superior for FMQ. I seldom have to mess with the tension dial unless dealing with flannel, in which case I loosen it a notch. Also make sure your bobbin is wound properly and your machine doesn't have any lint built up in the race.

I have the Janome 8200 (a less expensive cousin of the 8900) and I found what helped was switching to a titanium topstitch needle from Superior for FMQ. I seldom have to mess with the tension dial unless dealing with flannel, in which case I need more room under the needle. Also make sure your bobbin is wound properly and your machine doesn't have any lint built up in the race. Clean out the feed dogs before you lower them for FMQ. THey get linty fast.

Does your machine have a single hole needle plate? that might help and if you have the "free motion bobbin case" maybe try that too. I have the Janome 6600 and use the single hole needle plate and the free motion bobbin case (it has a yellow dot) and haven't had the tension problem you are describing. UNLESS I try to go to fast then the stitches are longer and the bobbin shows a bit. Just an idea, hope you find a solution.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I will change out the plate and try to adjust the bobbin tension first. If still a problem I will need to visit LQS to look at into needle and alternate bobbin case suggestions. I will update on my progress, thanks again!

I also use the free motion bobbin case (Mine has a blue dot).

I would re-thread my machine from scratch.

I would put my top tension back to normal and try a different thread bobbin on a scrap sandwich and see if you have the same problem. This will tell you if it is truly THAT thread combo that is the problem or if there is a general problem.

Seems odd to me that it would only be one combination of thread.

Watson

when i do free motion on my 8900 i do these things:

use the screw on the free motion foot to adjust the foot to the lowest possible position.
i crank the top tension up to the highest setting.

i use only organ brand needles.
i start with size 12 and work my way up if necessary.

i did not see any difference at all from switching to the "free motion bobbin case.P
(it did make a difference on my 6600, but none on the 8900.)

i just about never get eyelashes or pin-dots on either the front or back.
if i do, then i know i have to correct the human factor: speed moving quilt sandwich around under the needle.

you will need to experiment to see what works best for you.
the machines might be all the same as they roll off the assembly line, but each quilter is "a unique animal."