Lady Diana

What Janome are you referring to? Feed dogs don't cause skipped stitches. The wrong needle match to your thread can. Try a 90/14 top stitch...that may fix your problem. I have seven Janome machines ..love them all....partial to my 6600 and 8900. The all work best with the 90/14 topstitch needle when quilting.....please post your model number...perhaps we can help more...there are numerous "horizon" models in the Janome line.

LindaR

what brand are the "purple tip" needles???/ I am going to start using leaders and see if that will help....also I use a wide variety of thread and can't really tell which is the problem...will pay attention LOL BTW...I just checked my needles and have none with purple tip??? my horizon is the 8900

Neesie

I have a 7700 and have never had a problem with any thread. Although I usually use Superior threads, I also use C&C, when I just need a small amount of a certain color for topstitching. If your machine seems picky about thread, the problem may be your needle.

citruscountyquilter

The purple tip needles are Janome brand. You can get them at the dealer and on line. I have a 8900 and found that micortex needles work better than universal because they have a sharper point. I always use them when working with batik. I have not tried the purple tip needles yet but when I need to buy needles I'll give them a try. I want to use up what I have first.

I have had a few quirks with mine but mostly it was me getting used to the machine. My other machine was a 39 year old Viking so lots of changes between the two.

LindaR

I find that the feed dogs need to be ON the fabric too....my old kenmore would grab it and away it would go...nothing like the older machines, such work horses, new ones I find to be tempermental LOL

linmid

I have the 12000 and have had nothing but trouble with it shredding thread somewhere from the needle and the up and down arm. In 70 minutes of sewing it shredded 3 times. I changed needle, changed thread, checked for something close to the up and down arm but nothing helped.

lyndaj

I have had an 8900 since November 30. Honestly, I think my problems have simply been a learning curve thing. Compared to hell I used to put up with with my Pfaff Expression, this is a breeze.

That being said, I'm currently looking at a vintage Bernina on my local Kijiji which I am going to check out on Saturday.

zozee

i have had a low end Janome that I had no problems with other than I did have to have a leader/ender . My 8200 Horizon also prefers it with decorative stitches. Not needle picky or thread fussy. I bought a pack of 100 Organ needles for about $10 on Amazon and they're just great--90/14. The local dealers likes Schmetz but really the problem you're having sounds like the needle needs to take a bite of fabric.

patricej

which brand of needle do you use?
once i switched from schmetz to organ brand, i had no thread shred problems with my 8900 [during free motion quilting.]

not knocking schmetz at all. great needles.
it's only that my horizon works better when i use organ - which is the company that also manufactures the needles that carry the janome brand.

Geri B

I don't understand how a sewing machine " knows" what kind of thread one is using.......I personally use whatever color I need at the moment........not the brand...at least for general sewing, piecing.--and I'm talking sewing threads only.... Needles, yes, there one must know when to change out for particular purpose. Also, it is a good practice to replace needle after each large project....or several small ones.....and clean that "lint trap" often! When things really go haywire and my little tracks can't fix it, I pack that monster up (BL) and off to techie it goes.....and I have found that one takes that trip so much more often than my Viking ( older one)... Do you think all that extra technology causes these "sewing machines" to be more touchy?