My straight stitches are AOK, but when I use decorative ones (trying to figure out which to use for that ribbon!) there are dropped stitches that make it look terrible--there are triangles where there should be squares...

My manual offers suggestions such as new needle (this one is new) and changing the presser foot pressure?

Is this something someone has dealt with?

Are you using some kind of stabilizer on the back? That may help. A new needle is good, but it must be a very sharp one to begin with.

my computer machine was doing this too...had it serviced and he didn't know why either. it stopped doing it after being serviced so he must have cleaned something out. I was really worried my mother board was going out...lucked out. Have you ever used canned air on it...I have and it helps. I do it on my embroidery machine especially

Jeepers, Maride, I changed the needle and it WAS much improved! I just changed it a few days ago. This is one senstive machine. :-/ Thanks for the reply--I need to buy more needles.

Hi Linda... nope on the canned air. I've had this machine a year and three months, but it was used as a sample on the floor for folks to try. It's certainly quirky, which drives me crazy. I should have it serviced at some time, I guess, but I never have a time when I want to be without my machine, and I sure don't want to learn another one if they had a loaner.

If sharp needles it wants, sharp needles it'll get. :roll:

I use tear-away stabilizer. It's cheap, and you can use it for smaller and smaller places as you tear it.

You also should slow down. I find that if I go too fast with decorative stitches they get distorted. Stabilizer was also a good suggestion.

I've been told that a high percentage of needles are faulty, so if a new one doesn't do the trick - try another new one.

My Janome 6500 is a sensitive little thing too. Seems like the ladies here have given you all the advice I have figured out for my skipped stitches.

My repair guy offers same day service if you call ahead and book him several days in advance. Can you try and see if that will work for you?

I go very slowly--I was wondering if I was too slow! :-D

Okay--thanks. Seems crazy, doesn't it???

Great idea! I'll look into that.

What size is the best? 11/75? I seem to have a bunch of 14/90--don't know why I bought those.