New machine teething problems
09-30-2018, 09:46 PM
#1
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Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Buckinghamshire, England
Posts: 628
New machine teething problems
I’ve just bought the Janome Atelier 5 (skyline in USA I think). So far I love it but....
It came with 2 FMQ feet - a standard hopping one (which is what I am used to) or a floating one with interchangeable ends (so I can have open, closed or a clear plastic disc one with markings).
I have been using the hopping one with no issues at all. However the floating one which I was really looking forward to - nothing but problems! It either bird nests at the bottom like crazy (loose underneath with huge loops) or the upper thread keeps shredding and snapping every few inches. I am using bottom line 60wt thread.
I am guessing it will be to do with the top thread tension but can’t work out why the foot would make a difference or what I need to do to remedy it. Ideas anyone?
It came with 2 FMQ feet - a standard hopping one (which is what I am used to) or a floating one with interchangeable ends (so I can have open, closed or a clear plastic disc one with markings).
I have been using the hopping one with no issues at all. However the floating one which I was really looking forward to - nothing but problems! It either bird nests at the bottom like crazy (loose underneath with huge loops) or the upper thread keeps shredding and snapping every few inches. I am using bottom line 60wt thread.
I am guessing it will be to do with the top thread tension but can’t work out why the foot would make a difference or what I need to do to remedy it. Ideas anyone?
09-30-2018, 11:54 PM
#3
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Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: North-East England
Posts: 681
Just a thought but is the second foot a free motion quilting foot?
I have something similar for my Janome (not the same model as yours) and when I use it I have to drop the feed dogs.
My machine is relatively new and came with a really helpful manual. Have you checked the instructions for using this foot?
Have fun with your new machine!
I have something similar for my Janome (not the same model as yours) and when I use it I have to drop the feed dogs.
My machine is relatively new and came with a really helpful manual. Have you checked the instructions for using this foot?
Have fun with your new machine!
10-01-2018, 05:34 AM
#5
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 15,991
If the upper thread is shredding and breaking try a bigger needle. Also do a practice piece and keep an eye on the thread. When you see it start to shred stop and follow the thread to see where it is being hung up from needle to spool. One simple thing, did you lower the pressure foot before sewing?
10-01-2018, 05:42 AM
#6
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Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Va.
Posts: 5,752
Don’t forget with a floating foot to lower it before you start stitching. Because the foot floats above the fabric it is easy to forget to lower the presser foot- That will cause all kinds of bird nesting on the bottom because the tension disks arenkt engaged if the presser foot is not lowered.
another thing to remember is that with the floating foot , you need it to be just barely skimming the surface of the fabric, or just a tiny bit above the surface, otherwise you will get “flagging” (when the fabric gets brought up with the needle instead of staying down when the needle cones up out of it). Flagging will cause poor stitch formation and can lead to thread breakage.
the Janome convertible foot set which is the one you have that floats has a thumb screw on it whichyou can adjust to get the optimal height.
Rob
another thing to remember is that with the floating foot , you need it to be just barely skimming the surface of the fabric, or just a tiny bit above the surface, otherwise you will get “flagging” (when the fabric gets brought up with the needle instead of staying down when the needle cones up out of it). Flagging will cause poor stitch formation and can lead to thread breakage.
the Janome convertible foot set which is the one you have that floats has a thumb screw on it whichyou can adjust to get the optimal height.
Rob
10-01-2018, 05:58 AM
#7
Administrator
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Southeast Georgia, USA
Posts: 9,099
i have an MC8900. i believe our two machines are similar enough for you to try what i do.
when I use the free-motion foot with the interchangeable attachments, i use the open toe.
using the screw on the side of the foot assembly, i lower the toe attachment as far down as it will go.
i can use any weight thread i want in the top (adjusting needle size accordingly. i don't recall getting away with anything less than an 11. usually either a 12 or a 14. every so often i have to go all the way up to 16).
i use 60wt or less in the bobbin.
i set the top tension to the tightest setting. (that's a 9 on mine if i remember correctly. it's put away right now.)
and ... yes ... don't forget to lower the feed dogs.
when i do all these things together i almost never get either pin-dots or eyelashes on the back - even if the colors are different on top and bottom.
when I use the free-motion foot with the interchangeable attachments, i use the open toe.
using the screw on the side of the foot assembly, i lower the toe attachment as far down as it will go.
i can use any weight thread i want in the top (adjusting needle size accordingly. i don't recall getting away with anything less than an 11. usually either a 12 or a 14. every so often i have to go all the way up to 16).
i use 60wt or less in the bobbin.
i set the top tension to the tightest setting. (that's a 9 on mine if i remember correctly. it's put away right now.)
and ... yes ... don't forget to lower the feed dogs.
when i do all these things together i almost never get either pin-dots or eyelashes on the back - even if the colors are different on top and bottom.
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10-02-2018, 11:32 AM
#8
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Dallas area, Texas, USA
Posts: 3,042
Just in case, check the foot carefully for a possible burr that could be snagging the thread. Everything else seems to have been covered, but I thought I'd toss that out as a bit of generic advice. I recently had a similar problem with my embroidery machine and noticed that I had a bobbin with a tiny rough place on top that was snagging the thread, so that's another area to check.
10-02-2018, 11:52 AM
#9
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Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,352
I love the open toe floating FMQ on my Janome, but as R Ryder says it has to be close to the fabric or your upper thread will break every time.
As to the lower thread, check to be sure the bobbin is in correctly. That can cause bird's nests.
Once you get used to the floating foot you won't want to go back to the hopping.
Watson
As to the lower thread, check to be sure the bobbin is in correctly. That can cause bird's nests.
Once you get used to the floating foot you won't want to go back to the hopping.
Watson
10-02-2018, 12:16 PM
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Keller, TX
Posts: 1,922
Make sure your foot lever is down....if not you will get nests, also, pull your bobbin thread to the top of your quilt before FMQ. I suspect your lever is not down, though. I have many Janomes and the Skyline 7. Also, the thread coming out of the take up lever can cause the same problems. Hope you get this fixed.
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