I read through all the posts about the bird nests but the person who began the posts on the subject was sewing through multiple layers and I think denim was one of them. I am just sewing through one layer of cotton and I get a bird nest on the bottom every time I begin a seam. My old Janome did this also but I used a trick I use on my HQSS which is to hold onto both threads as I stitch the first couple of stitches. This usually worked on my old machine, which incidentally only had the problem when I first started stitching after turning the machine on or after changing thread or bobbin. My 12000 makes a thread nest on the bottom at the beginning of EVERY seam I sew. So far I have just lived with it (I haven't been using this machine very long) especially since I use the automatic thread cut feature so there is never any bobbin thread out where I can hold onto it before I begin a seam.
But I would like to know if anyone else has this issue and what did you do about it? Is it a tension issue, needle size problem (I am using the size 11), the weather, or just bad luck? Another thing I have wondered about for some time--why, when I start a seam at the very beginning of a piece of cotton (just about all I sew with) does the machine sometimes, not all the time, drag the material down through the needle plate? I have even had to remove the plate to remove the fabric and thread knot that develops. I solve this by just not starting at the very end of the fabric, but sometimes it does it even though I start a quarter inch or so in and sometimes it does it at the end of the seam too, puckering up the fabric. Is this a fabric or needle problem, operator error, whim of the sewing gods? I want to say once again how glad I am that this forum exists. It is nice to know somebody has been where I am now and can empathize with my learning curve on this fabulous machine. Thanks, Sherryl

[Fearing the wrath of the sewing gods, Jim bravely formulates an answer]

By now you have probably read enough posts to know that the primary causes of thread nests are lack of top tension or thread not in the take-up lever. Secondary causes include burrs on the hook race, bobbin case or needle plate, as well as mismatched thread and needle size. We'll assume that you've already eliminated those. The one you may have missed is using the LOCK button before threading. It's not just a safety item. When you activate LOCK it opens the tension to allow the thread to go between the discs. If you thread without locking first, the thread may just lay on top of the discs. When you start to sew the initial nest will yank it down into the tension, but you've already got the nest. If you are using lock then I would recommend a dealer visit so they can watch the problem and make a diagnosis/repair.

We are going to be taking a trip in a few weeks and will have my 15000 and my Mac in the car and will need to spend a night in a hotel in Georgia.   Should I be concerned with heat build up in the car hurting the computer or sewing machine when the car is not running?  I'm hoping not to have to take either or both of them into the hotel room for the night.

thanks,

Caroline

[Preparing for a long car trip himself, Jim says]

The heat build-up does not concern me as much as the security of the car. Keep in mind that your computer and machine spent several hours in a hot UPS truck prior to you getting them. When you are ready to use them just give them a few minutes to cool off before turning them on and you should be fine. My bigger concern would be somebody breaking a window in the car to steal them.

I wrote on this group recently to say that my almost new 15000 had tension problems. I was experiencing lots of nesting and the underneath of the embroidery showed no bobbin thread at all. Hence, I was also using masses of top thread all the time.

 Anyway, after having tried the usual - trying to free anything that might be stuck in the top tensions disks etc,to no avail,  the machine was sent back to Janome almost two weeks ago.

I rang them yesterday to see if there was any news (my dealer told me I should have heard from them by now) I was told the machine was now ready for its return to me. I asked to speak to the engineer who fixed it, but was told that wasn't possible. He was in Switzerland but wasn't allowed to speak to me anyway. I then asked if there was any news on what had been wrong with the machine and was told that the "ticket" said - No Fault Found.

I have been asked to call on Tuesday morning to arrange it's return, but if no fault has been found, am I going to get my faulty machine back again? 

This has really upset me. Not only does it mean that I may have to send the machine back again and I'd be without it for another 18 days or so, it means that it will, once again, have to suffer being transported about all over the place, which may lead to damage etc. Has anyone had any dealings with Janome in the UK please? I'd be grateful for any advice on this, especially as it seems I am not allowed to chat to the person who looked at it. I had sent a big example of the nesting and lack of bobbin thread showing on the back, together with a detailed note of the problem. Surely they wouldn't ignore that? Am I just being paranoid? if so, I am going to look stupid - again !!!! You're such a knowledgeable lot I thought I'd share this with you. Thanks for taking the time to read my miserable tale. 

[Not in Switzerland, Jim says]

"No fault found" is not equivalent to "Nothing was done". It could mean the technician did not find anything faulty, but did make some adjustments. I can tell you from personal experience that when a technician is fixing lots of machines day after day, filling out paperwork may be bypassed. If I were about to go on holiday the incentive to just tick a box and get on would be high. If you still have a problem after getting it back let us know. Be as specific as possible (which all posts seeking assistance should do) including details like needle size and type, fabric and stabilizer choice and thread weight and type. Do be very mindful when threading to ensure that the thread is securely latched into the take-up lever, as this is a common mistake we have all made.

I was advised by a dealer to see if there were any upgrades for my new-to-me MC12000, since she said the previous owner of the machine may not have upgraded it. I have determined that there is an upgrade my machine does not have, Version 2.0. My machine is Version 1.1. We tried to download the upgrade to a jump drive, but it would not load onto the machine. The message said something about having the machine in "upgrade mode"? Does anyone know how to put the machine into upgrade mode? I searched through all the settings and did not find such a thing. Thanks,

[Jim, version OMG says]

The latest version for your machine is 1.2. However there is more to updating than just downloading the zip file and putting it on a USB stick. The utility in the zip file that copies the update to USB also has very detailed instructions on how to update, including how to put it in update mode.

Hi, I have just joined this group, glad to find it. I purchased an MC 12000 on the Sew Its For Sale site just this month. I have been having fun getting to know it as I have never done machine embroidery before, just decided I'd like to give it a try. I had a DC Janome before but it didn't do embroidery and had very limited stitches. I mostly quilt, but I have a new grandbaby coming so I decided to try my hand at making some little people clothing. So far, so good. I am next going to try embellishing these little things with some embroidery and wondered if other group members have a suggestion for what thread is best to use for embroidery. Also it looks like those spools must be a certain size to fit into the thread holder depression on top of the machine so that lets out using the large cones, yes? My machine came with what looks like some kind of thread guide that was inserted into the hole where the extra spool pin (which was missing) was supposed to be. Any idea what that piece is and where it fits into the machine? Thanks for any help you can give. Sherryl

[Group Captain Jim says "Welcome!"]

This is a moderated group, which allows me to filter spam and malware. If you don't see your post right away, it just means that I am away from my computers. This rarely happens, but if it does posts may be delayed up to a couple of days. Meanwhile enjoy our luxurious clubhouse and try one of those all-chocolate cupcakes. They are unbelievable.

You will get almost as many thread recommendations as there are members. We all have our favorites. I will tell you that embroidery thread comes in two varieties: polyester and rayon. Polyester is generally preferred, as it is stronger and colorfast when washed. All brands are generally acceptable, though I would stay clear of Coats & Clark for any type of sewing. It's not your mother's thread any more, as it's now made by Chinese boll weevils in sweatshops. It has excessive lint, which sheds into your machine's tension. Any thread sold by Walmart for $1 a spool or less should also be given a pass.

The guide you found does go into the hole on top of the machine. It's used in conjunction with the thread stand that goes behind the machine. Your seller may have kept that, as it's an optional accessory that fits other models. The thread stand allows if using thread on cones.

Hi,

I recently bought a used Janome 15000 and am trying to learn how to use the embroidery component. I have the Artistic software and a thumb drive full of designs. Can I load the JEF designs on my laptop? What software do I use to view them? Is it possible to have a thumbnail view of each design or do you have to open each one individually? Can I print a reference sheet of the designs? Will the Janome 15000 app be helpful with these issues?

Kim

[Jim says]

If you have a Mac get StitchBuddy for viewing, editing and moving your designs to USB. For Windows use the HorizonLink Suite that comes with the machine. Our My 15000 app will help you with all aspects of using your machine, though it does not have a design viewer in it.

Hello,

How do I adjust the tension on a bobbin case? I know I am supposed to turn a screw is it the metal phillips head screw or the plastic flathead screw, what is each of these screws for? I would imagine that it is turn, just a hair at a time RIGHT to tighten and LEFT to loosen tension but I thought I'd ask before fiddiling.

Thanks,

Deb in CA

[With a mighty shriek, Jim races to the keyboard to prevent a catastrophe]

NEVER TOUCH THE PHILLIPS SCREW ON THE BOBBIN CASE! It's what holds the tension spring in the case and if you accidentally disassemble the case you're going to have a bad day. Use the flathead screw (which usually has red paint on it), turning right (clockwise) to increase tension (pull more a thread to the back) or left (counterclockwise) to reduce tension (pull more to the top). Turn no more than quarter turn at a time and test after each. If nothing is changing STOP! You will only create more problems. Put the tension back where it was and look elsewhere for the problem, usually in the thread path of the needle thread. Changing bobbin tension should be a last resort, as it is rarely the problem.