Sprockets, a Linus Quilt, and THE Solution to Janome 6500 skipping stitches problem

DONE!  This is one of Bonnie Hunter's patterns.  I added a row of 4-patches to the top and the bottom to give it some length.  I'm liking it!  I quilted it in "sprockets" my own name for what started as a posey or daisy, but I liked the squarish angles better.  This will be a Linus Quilt. 

Solution for Skipped Stitches for MY Janome MC 6500
If you can stand the last time I'm going to talk about the solution to MY issue with skipped stitches on my much-loved Janome MC 6500. 

My machine is 10 years old and has always machine quilted beautifully, until about 8 months ago, when it started skipping stitches.  OK, I used a thread conditioner, Sewer's Aid, which helped for a while.  Then I unfairly blamed the basting spray, then I blamed my Senior Citizenship, possibly my own failing skills, then ????.  Finally, I took it for servicing with a hopeful spirit,  but despite the tech's beautiful practice stitches and assurance that all was back to manufacturer's tolerances, it skipped stitches when MQ'ing.   Back again to the repair shop  a 2nd time, to recheck if  "something" is wrapped around the tension disks - like invisible thread.  "Nope" -- "Elaine Adair, you have just worn her out!"  Surely not, but ... there were many, many quilts quilted on this machine.  ???   How many is too many??? I finally decided to try a new motor - while not terribly expensive (under $100.00). That idea seemed unlikely but it was worth a try, before investing in a new machine.   

Nope, no difference with a new motor - still bad, skipped stitches when MQ'ing.  (Fine stitches on regular stitching).  Depression, lost my enthusiasm, and my current projects all came to standstills. 

I finally decided to begin looking for another machine and found an excellent tutorial/review from Leah Day on the Janome 7700.   To my surprise, she said to leave the feed dogs up, set stitch to zero for machine quilting.  Uh say what?

So, with nothing to lose, that is what I tried on the above quilt -with my Janome 6500 and ...  Not a skipped stitch in the entire project - NOT ONE!  I quilted it in 2 days, envisioning flames and smoke erupting from my machine with all my quilting efforts!

In the meantime, I've been hearing of other MQ'ers on DSM, that they also leave the dogs up - who knew?  I presume my machine IS worn and this solution might do for a few more years.   None of my quilting books mention it, nor "famous" pro quilters, except for Leah Day. 

So, this is the end of my whining, griping, tears and complaining on this subject.  8-)))))))  Several other bloggers have listened to my tale of woe and needed to know if I'd found a solution.  Yeahhhh!  Hope this helps someone with similar issues. 

Almost a month with no posts!

I don't know where July went - I was busy doing, doing, ... something, not sure what!

Oh yes, I did complete this Split Nine Patch, scrappy of course.  This has over 3000 pieces, but the "system" is from Jackie Robinson.  It's about 60" x 70".  I started machine quilting with my Janome MC6500 but ran into issues of stitches skipping when quilting over seams, and soon the quality was slipping so I finally quit, but by now there are small issues here and there, and my own satisfaction and patience has deteriorated.  Two trips for tech. maintenance did not solve the problem so I finished the quilt with another machine.  

 


Not knowing exactly what needed fixing, and after routine servicing, timing, threads, etc., I had a new motor installed, figuring all bases need to be covered before thinking of a new machine!  Neither the tech. nor I know how it will work until the next quilt.  The machine DOES sound better, smoother, less labored.  It could be a wear-and-tear issue as I had noticed odd problems during this last year that I thought were my own Senior Citizen issues, but upon reflection believe it IS the machine, not me. 

Above is a bit of the backing.  My quilting is a combination of innies, and outies, various swirls, circles, "bear claws" ... I kept the designs confined to certain "rows" ... I got bored with just one design.  The border is done with  largeundulating hearts, or, "fat ladies on barstools".   I learned to NOT do that border again with variegated threads -- shoulda used a solid color.  (Lesson #843!)

I

A few of my quilting friends gathered at a recent lunch.  Me in left background, next to Alice.  Other side in back is Carol M, then Carol L., then Kathy.   Anita joined us later, after the photo.  8-)))