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I am having lots of problems with my Janome Sew Mini. I adjusted the tension, and finally got it to stitch prettily, but now it is skipping stitches -- it will sew for about an inch, then miss several stitches, then sew some more. Can anyone tell me why it does this, and what I can do to fix it? I've had this machine for two months now, and I haven't had a good sewing experience with it yet. :(
this is exactly what happened to mine. I have tried resetting the tension over and over and it still won't sew clean anymore. I had not thought about a new needle but I am willing to try that. I am going to see what answers you get before I throw this thing away. It frustrates me! I have a ton of scraps with practice lines sewn all over them trying to fix that stupid tension!Grrrrr
I have one and I hate it! It sewed fine the first use, but then it was downhill from there. The bobbin carriage goes off track so that when the needle comes down, it hits plastic! The zigzag doesn't stitch well, skipping a zag once every inch.
But I love the size of it and just make do with it. I thought about checking out the Hello Kitty Janome mini at Target. Maybe if that broke, Target would at least take it back?
Have you called Janome to complain? I really should do that at least. Their service number is 1-800-631-0183 ext. 774
Good luck with Janome's customer service. I had to pay to ship the thing to them and had to enclose a check for them to ship it back to me.
And guess what? The stupid p.o.s. still doesn't sew worth a darn. It worked for exactly one day, then started messing up the back of what I was sewing, missing stitches, etc. I changed out the needle. I changed the bobbin. I did everything they told me to do.
I overpayed for it to begin with so that I could support my local stamp store. It sewed well for about a week and then immediately started messing up. I had a good friend who is a seamstress look at it and she couldn't get it to work. I brought it back to the store, who couldn't get it to work, but wouldn't take it back either.
Mine's collecting dust, just because I forgot to put it out for trash pick up days. I'm going to toss it real soon and replace it with full size Singer from Walmart.
Mine seems to work fine...I know with my other machines, when this happens, it is usually a problem with the bobbin, either the tension or the little spring..I can't remember off hand now if the bobbin is in a metal case or it drops in (havent used it in awhile) but if it is in a metal case that pops out, make sure the little screw is somewhat tight, like you can hold the end of the thread and dangle the bobbin down and it wont unwind, but it will still pull easily, thats my best advice.
Mine worked for exactly a year and then i had all kinds of problems with it. I finally got so mad I went and upgraded and bought a different one and threw out my mini. I love my new one it works great but i hope it lasts longer than a year.
WOW! I sure hate to hear this stuff....I have just starting using one....when I first got it I couldn't even get it to work, but read on another thread that it is best to use cotton thread and I was using a blend. Switched to cotton and it has been sewing perfect! Hope that continues.....I reallly love the look.
I have friends that have no trouble at all with their Janome. I have an old singer that is very heavy and I can't leave it sitting out like I can the Janome which is why I wanted the thing in the first place. *sigh* I think I got a bad one. I have new thread, new bobbins, still haven't gotten a new needle for it to try. The needle is my last hope. I will be throwing it away if it doesn't work. I got mine on sale so I don't feel so bad about throwing it away
I just have a question regarding my Janome? I wanted to see if you had any ideas before I spend the money to have it repaired. I've had my machine for a little over a year now and just last week, it started wadding the thread up in the bobbin area. I had my BF take a look at it. I have some singer machine oil so we first tried a new needle. Then, rethread the bobbin...tried new thread. He took the bobbin area apart and blew it out with some canned air (thinking it might have paper fibers in it or something) He oiled the parts that require that. Tried different tensions...and he got it to work except for the fact that now it skips stitches. I'm just beside myself and upset because I love my Janome and I had just started to get comfortable with using it.... = ( Has this ever happened to yours? what should I do? is there anything else we can try? Thanks for any help.
Nevermind.....I fixed it. I did a little googling and found some great advice on a couple of review replies. Just adjust the flat head screw on the outside of the bobbin case with the bobbin still in it while suspended by the thread. until the bobbin drops only 1-2 inches down. If it unwinds or doesn't unwind at all when suspending it by the thread, the tension screw (the flat head screw on the side of the bobbin case) needs to be adjusted. I adjusted it and Voila'! it fixed it! works like a charm. Now I just saved myself $50.00 or more having it repaired.
Last edited by scrubbybubbles; 12-05-2009 at 10:45 AM..
I don't know where you bought yours, but I got mine last Christmas as a gift and my mom bought it at Hancock Fabrics. I had a problem with it right away (the power cord wouldn't stay plugged in the machine). I brought it into Hancock, they had their sewing machine repair person look at it, they figured out it could not be fixed and they gave me a brand new one no problems at all. I also have had problems with stitching, but for me, messing with the tension has fixed it every time (hope this does not jinx it!).
Geez....was thinking about using my Christmas bonus to purchase one..not sure I will now?? Sounds like a lot of "unhappy" sewers out there. Is there another supplier that makes one similar perhaps??
Hope to hear back...thought about going tomorrow (Sat. 1/9)....thanks!!!
I love mine, had it for a year and have not had a problem. I never even had to touch the tension out of the box, just threaded it and ran with it! I made tons of quilted coasters for Christmas gifts this year, plus lots of stuffed ornaments and all. I don't use it for paper crafting at all, I don't sew on cards, except to embroider on them. Love the little machine!
Not got one of these, but I can say with my full size sewing machine, when it starts skipping stitches it's a sign of a blunt needle. I'd also suggest that sewing though card/paper is going to blunt needles much faster than fabric.
I loved the Janome mini for years ... and then the issues mentioned above jammed it so tightly I put it into its case and let it sit ... a few years. Last year I asked DH if he thought he could un-jam it, as he is handy with so many things.
Ta-dah! It's free again! But you'll have to clear out/blow out the fiber dust from card stock sewing if used much for that. I've only used it on C/S once since the fix, but will remember to blow out the fibers after much use.
Tension seemed tricky at first, but once it's good, it's good until stitches start getting ugly underneath and you need a new needle asap. Don't continue with a dull needle once the uglies start to appear. Take care of that before moving on.
It can be a great little tool, and saves me from putting c/s through my machine for actually sewing fabrics. Sort of like having scissors set aside for cutting ribbons or fabric .... and others designated for cutting paper.
Janome Sew Mini Problems
