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I have had my Janome Sew Mini for 2 years, and I love it! That said, I have had trouble the last few times I've used it with the stitches 'jumping' out of alignment on me several stitches into a line.
Yesterday, I took the casing off and cleaned all of the loose threads and dust out the bobbin casing to see if that would help the issue. I got it all put back together, but now when I try to bring the bobbin thread up through the hole under the needle by turning the hand wheel, the upper needle thread doesn't go around the bobbin casing and 'catch' the bobbin thread. So, there is no way for me to get the bobbin thread back up through the hole under the needle to stitch properly.
Has anyone successfully 'self-diagnosed' a similar Sew Mini issue?
GinaK has some wonderful tutorials on using the Sew Mini. Maybe you could try YouTube and watch them. Don't think she had one where she cleaned anything out but I watched them awhile ago so maybe she has added to her series.
Hope you get your problem solved. Great machine for papercrafting. The price was right - starting next week Handcock Fabrics is having them on sale for 49.99 again.
I have had my Janome Sew Mini for 2 years, and I love it! That said, I have had trouble the last few times I've used it with the stitches 'jumping' out of alignment on me several stitches into a line.
Yesterday, I took the casing off and cleaned all of the loose threads and dust out the bobbin casing to see if that would help the issue. I got it all put back together, but now when I try to bring the bobbin thread up through the hole under the needle by turning the hand wheel, the upper needle thread doesn't go around the bobbin casing and 'catch' the bobbin thread. So, there is no way for me to get the bobbin thread back up through the hole under the needle to stitch properly.
Has anyone successfully 'self-diagnosed' a similar Sew Mini issue?
I'm in salvage mode.
Have you checked to see if you have the bobbin in so the bobbin thread turns the correct way? I don't have my Sew Mini here now - it's at my dd's, so I can't look to see which way it is supposed to go. But whichever way it's supposed to go, clockwise, or counter-clockwise will make a big difference if you have it wrong.
And ditto on Gina K's tutorials. Her pictures and instructions are very clear. Here is a link to inserting the bobbin. But I notice she says her tutorial is written with the bobbin thread coming off to the RIGHT, and then says the manual says it should come off to the left? She says it worked either way for her. Go figure.
Thanks, ladies! This is definitely something I've screwed up inside the machine, so the threading tutorials don't help with that. I have a feeling I'm going to have to replace it, which is fine...my eyes would really prefer a machine with a little light above the needle. :mrgreen: They tell me that every time I sew.
Kerry - I could kiss you! This is exactly what my problem was, and I think it's FIXED!!! Thanks, sweetie! I knew I couldn't have been the only one to make a mess of this proportions.
Saved the site also 'just in case'. Mine is working fine but you never know--
Ditto regarding the helpfulness of all who visit this site. Someone always seems to have the solution or is able to direct you to a site that can resolve the issue.
This isn't really advice since I am a novice sewer, but...
I hadn't even owned my Janome Sew Mini for a year and I started to have problems with the stitches looping underneath the paper. I had done lots of troubleshooting (often going through GinaK's tutorial) and still to no avail. I ended up buying a a full size Brother sewing machine for $60 at Walmart several months ago when it was on sale and I love it!
This isn't really advice since I am a novice sewer, but...
I hadn't even owned my Janome Sew Mini for a year and I started to have problems with the stitches looping underneath the paper. I had done lots of troubleshooting (often going through GinaK's tutorial) and still to no avail. I ended up buying a a full size Brother sewing machine for $60 at Walmart several months ago when it was on sale and I love it!
Hope you can get it working again! Good luck!
I purchased a generic mini machine and had the same problem with the stitches looping and gathering underneath. I went to Walmart, but I bought Singer sewing machine for $89 and love, love, love it! I am using it on more cards since it is so much fun!
Kerry - I could kiss you! This is exactly what my problem was, and I think it's FIXED!!! Thanks, sweetie! I knew I couldn't have been the only one to make a mess of this proportions.
All hail, Queen Tink!
I have another suggestion...change the needle on a regular basis. Grunge, dust and thread bits in the feed dog and bobbin case...PLUS a dull needle... all contribute to skipped stitches. Soon as your machine starts sounding thunk, thunk, thunk, clean it and change the needle.
OMG!!! this might be my saving grace....Lori, this same thing happened to my Janome...I thought it had died. Off to see that thread Kerry posted. crossing my fingers it works!
weird that our machines are almost the same age and had the same problem. Guess it needs a tune up every now and then. lol!
sooooo ♥ SCS for being my go-to place for questions....I almost just chucked my machine in the garbage. I haven't been able to sew for over a week and it's killing me! I'll be reporting back.......
Let me know if that works for you! I thought mine was fixed after the first attemp, but now I'm still having problems.
I think Jan's solution is accurate for my problem. I just can't figure out exactly where the proper alignment is, and after every click the only way to 'test' it is to put the machine all the way back together, re-threading and try sewing. I just haven't spent enough time fiddling with it to get it to the right place.
Lori...lol! I almost emailed you to see if it REALLY worked for you. It's on my to do list for today. crossing my fingers and will let you know. It's worth the try.....
okay....I can't get it to work. sniff, sniff! I'm so sad. Now to buy the same machine again (I don't need anything fancy, just straight and zigzag stitches) or do I upgrade???? I guess $50 investment that lasted 2 + years that I used on almost every card since isn't too bad.....hmmmmm! I'm in mourning! :(
sniff...sniff... I actually already replaced my machine. I went with an $89 Singer from Wal-Mart. It was readily available, and it had a light. That was the one thing I could never get over with the SewMini - I needed a light. So far, I've had a little bit of trouble with this new one, but it's tension related and as soon as I have a chance to play, I should be ok.
Lisa...I'm so sorry for your loss. I try really hard to never say, 'I know how you feel' to someone who's hurting, but in this case...I'm pretty sure I know just how you feel. The SewMinis...may they rest in peace. {{Lisa}}
sniff...sniff... I actually already replaced my machine. I went with an $89 Singer from Wal-Mart. It was readily available, and it had a light. That was the one thing I could never get over with the SewMini - I needed a light. So far, I've had a little bit of trouble with this new one, but it's tension related and as soon as I have a chance to play, I should be ok.
Lisa...I'm so sorry for your loss. I try really hard to never say, 'I know how you feel' to someone who's hurting, but in this case...I'm pretty sure I know just how you feel. The SewMinis...may they rest in peace. {{Lisa}}
I have this Walmart Singer machine and love it! Takes a bit of playing to get tension right but mine came with a CD and walks you through it all. The CD was not produced in the best light, but I can see ok enough. I agree about having a light. And the automatic needle threader is good too.
Kathy - You mean you are supposed to look at the supporting documentation? LOL...
I get teased all the time. I DO read the instructions! And it was very helpful....the nice thing was I could put it in the computer which happened to be sitting exactly behind the sewing machine so I could stop it and do what they showed and then start the CD again. Very helpful that way.
seeing the sale, I'd like to try this machine again. I don't sew and bought it 2 years ago for cards but was too impatient even with all the great tutorials. My question is what bobbins do you order for extras?
Kim - I don't know the number for the part, but I always bought my extra bobbins for the Sew Mini at Wal-Mart. Simple plastic ones. This thread addresses that issue specifically.
thanks ladies, and Lori....I'm thinking I was going to go the Wal Mart route too, so I can have it in my hands like NOW!
I feel your loss, too. It's been a sad, sad week. lol!
In case anyone following this thread cares....I did decide to get another Janome Sew Mini. A bigger, faster, more involved machine scared me. Plus I don't have the patience to learn how to use another one. I know the Janome, am comfortable with it and it was on sale for $49 at Hanncock Fabrics. Now I just have to wait for it to ship.
Overstock has it in stock, too, for $40 but it's a refurbished machine. I wanted brand new, so that's what I didnt go with that one.
Crossing my fingers this one lasts longer. I do know that I need to take better care of this machine and change the needle regularly (I just changed it the first time a month ago).
thanks for all your help and suggestions.
In case anyone following this thread cares....I did decide to get another Janome Sew Mini. A bigger, faster, more involved machine scared me. Plus I don't have the patience to learn how to use another one. I know the Janome, am comfortable with it and it was on sale for $49 at Hanncock Fabrics. Now I just have to wait for it to ship.
Overstock has it in stock, too, for $40 but it's a refurbished machine. I wanted brand new, so that's what I didnt go with that one.
Crossing my fingers this one lasts longer. I do know that I need to take better care of this machine and change the needle regularly (I just changed it the first time a month ago).
thanks for all your help and suggestions.
I know, I love my janome, perfect size for me. hopefully i can fix it, but tempting for that price
Janome Sew Mini - help, please
