Free Motion Quilters....

The endorsement from you and Leslie about the Janome 6600's special bobbin may be a selling point with me. I have suspected the reason I could never could the eyelashes off the back using the Kenmore was a tension problem. Might be something I could play with a bit more, but still would like a machine with a larger harp.

Thanks Sunny! Your response has been copied and pasted.

Michelle in Nevada

From reading Leslie and Sunny's rave reviews over the pre-set bobbin for FMQ on their Janome 6600s, I suspect my problem is the tension. Might be something I could play with, but I'm hesitant to reset my bobbin tension because I'm afraid I wouldn't get it back to "normal" when I need it. Hmmmm.

Best regards, Michelle in Nevada

I suspect some machines are more forgiving than others Polly--which is why I'm asking everyone what they are using. Of course Bernina is very high end. :-)

Best regards, Michelle > My Bernina came with a special bobbin case for FM but I've never used

I'm afraid that I *might* be one who never likes machine quilting of any type as well as hand-quilting. That said, my mom does not like hand-quilting, so would like a SM with a bigger harp. Since she and I would both be using this SM, I thought I'd see if I could find one with a big harp AND had the perks for FMQ in case it turned out to be a form of machine quilting I like better.

What I despise about machine quilting, especially with a little harp is "quilt wrestling". I don't mind straight-line quilting, but I'm currently quilting one in which I'm putting some stars, boxes--shapes that require a lot of turning--and I swear I'm never doing this again!

Michelle in Nevada--who sympathizes with your take on machine quilting.

Trixie wrote:

Flush mount for ease of quilting seems to be the consensus. Going to see what I can do about that too. :-)

Michelle > I use either my Viking #1 (no +) or Viking Rose at the moment. Still

There is a fold up table that has the flush machine top. One is a Roberts 299 portable sewing table. You do need to check the opening for your machine size though. If you are remotely interested there is a Yahoo group for the

6600. It is called Janome6600. Lots of info there to see. Most of the manufacturers have their manuals online. That is a good way to see they things they do and don't do. It seems if you can dedicate a machine to only machine quilting and don't need all the bells and whistles. The basic mid arm straight stitch machines could serve you well without costing so much. Janome makes several, Brother, Pfaff and Juki . I think everyone but Bernina does at this point. Happy hunting! Taria

Aha. I'm watching this thread closely and think I see something we need to involve and that is choice of quilting pattern. Michelle says she despises quilt wrestling and so say we all. However, there are designs that don't demand so much turn/pivot/shift/ backtrack as others. Hearts, flowers, fish, ducks ... lots of motifs can be completed in an area without having to struggle so much. Your favorite easy one? Polly

I use a Janome 6500 and its new FM bobbin. Works great. I just did a twin size with not a single rat's nest or eyelashes in sight.

Denise

Maybe I'm missing something Polly, but unless you're FMQ, it seems to me all the shapes you mention need a lot of turning. Remember, ATM, I'm straight-line quilting. :-)

Michelle > Aha. I'm watching this thread closely and think I see something we need

Thanks Taria! Post saved. :-)

Michelle in Nevada

Yes, having the sewing machine flush mounted makes a world of difference in

*all* your sewing. And the larger the surface the better- and more room to pile your 'stuff"!

My Janome dealer sells Janome tables with the set in place for the sm.

I haven't priced them since I built my own sewing table from cabinets and a Formica top for less than $300 and a few hours of my labor. Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Many people now have two bobbin cases, Michelle, so that one can be left as 'standard', and the other can be tinkered with. . In message , Michelle C. writes

Oh, after this thread, I can hardly wait until the New Year, when I should be able to steal the time to do some sewing again! Then I will try my Janome special bobbin case. . In message , Denise in NH writes

Brother Quattro and Babylock Ellisimo come with an extra bobbin case..I would imagine a dealer would have extra ones for any model. There's nothing special about them, except it save fiddling with the main one. Gen

That's what Bernina people will tell you. I've never met a Bernina that I would allow to be in my house. I've disliked every one I've ever used. To each his own! Gen

I'm afraid my favorite easy one is a large meander pattern. Perhaps that is cheating?

Trixie

My Kenmore doesn't have removable bobbin case. The bobbin just pops in from the top. :-( The manual doesn't really talk about changing the bobbin tension. That said, I've looked online and apparently it could be done, but if I couldn't return it to normal, the machine would be unusable. Yikes!

Best regards, Michelle > Many people now have two bobbin cases, Michelle, so that one can be left

Heck no, Trixie. Not cheating at all. Lots of folks can't do 'meander'. When I get bored with a meander I just have to toss in something else; bare feet, bubbles or treble clef. Whatever calls to me. Polly

Careful there, Gen. You're being unkind to my dear friends. Need some chocolate? or can I send you a gator or two to take someone to dinner for you? Polly

"Gen" That's what Bernina people will tell you. I've never met a Bernina that I