Q&A MC9000

Q: Is it okay to use Sewer’s Aid thread lubricant with my Memory Craft 9000?

A: A silicone thread lubricant, such as Sewer’s Aid, can be used on the Memory Craft 9000. every once in a while without harming your machine. If you are using it frequently, it is recommended that you have your machine serviced by an Authorized Janome New Home Dealer at least every 6 months. (The normal service recommendation is once a year.) The silicone acts like a wax and can have some adverse affects on the tension disks if used for a long period of time. Before using the lubricant, try these following suggestions: place the metallic thread on the auxiliary spool pin with the thread coming off the spool from the back and use a needle that has been designed for sewing with metallic threads.

Q: I have the Memory Craft 9000, but I don’t quilt. Are there other uses for the repeat sewing key?

A: There are many uses for the repeat sewing key. When sewing darts, memorize the first dart and the next one will be exactly the same length. The repeat sewing key is also great for sewing multiple tucks. If you craft bears or dolls, memorize the length of each body part and chain sew as you do in quilting. By using the repeat sewing key and the lock stitch, all seams will be locked off at the beginning and end. This save a lot of time because you don’t need to use the reverse key or the lock stitch on the front of the machine. Try the repeat sewing key to embellish a project. For example, if you want to create a star burst, start sewing from the middle of the star out and memorize. All the rays will be the same length. You can then fill in with shorter rays using the same method.

Q: When sewing on very fine fabrics, I experience puckering and sometimes the feed dogs eat the fabric. How can I prevent this?

A: Try using the straight-stitch foot. This foot has a flat bottom and a round needle hole to prevent puckering. This same foot works well on heavy fabrics to prevent the needle from puling and pushing the fabric up and down with each stitch. There is also a needle plate for straight sewing that has the same round hole as the straight-stitch foot. This plate with further reduce puckering, and is helpful when working on fine fabrics.

Q: What is the best way to get my Memory Craft 9000 to mirror image Memory Card embroidery?

A: There are two techniques. In both, you flip your fabric, modify your tensions, and work from the wrong side. On the wrong side of your fabric, use the stabilizer of your choice. On the right side of your fabric, use the Sulky Solvy. Mark the cross hairs on the wrong side of your fabric and place in your hoop with the wrong side up. Match your bobbin and needle thread. Every time you have a colour change, you will remove the hoop from the machine and change the bobbin as well as your top thread. For the Memory Craft 9000 and 5000, adjust the tension to 8.6. For the Memory Craft 8000, set the tension at 8. The second technique is to invest in an extra bobbin case. Use a toothpick to dab nail polish on one end of the slot in the screw. This will be your reference point. Turn the screw counterclockwise ¾ of a revolution. All these settings should be used as a guideline as each machine is slightly different.

Q: What is the best way to make tailor tacks and transfer other pattern markings?

A: Any of the following techniques may be sewn on any Janome sewing machine with the Fringe foot, providing it has a Scallop stitch and a Triple Stretch stitch. The settings given in the instructions are for the Memory Craft 9000.

You will need the following Janome supplies:

    * Fringe foot
    * A foot
    * F foot
    * Janome Embroidery Thread in colour of your choice
    * Bobbin thread
    * All purpose sewing thread

Before sewing with the Fringe foot, make sure you  have a full bobbin and top thread spool.

FOR TAILOR TACKS

   1. To tailor tack in one spot for making darts, notches and other positioning marks on patterns, sewing through the pattern tissue and all layers of fabric.
   2. Lower feed dogs and attach fringe foot.
   3. Position needle over area to be sewn.
   4. Select Zigzag stitch #8, and reduce width to 2.0, (or medium width), reduce tension to 2.2 and sew in place for three or four stitches.
   5. Carefully pull the tissue away from the stitching, and clip thread.
   6. Separate the fabric layers and clip through the stitches. This is the easier and most accurate way of marking patterns.

TO TRANSFER OTHER PATTERN MARKINGS

   1. Chalk mark the stitching lines on one side of your pattern piece only.
   2. Remove the pattern tissue before you begin sewing.
   3. Select Zigzag Stitch #8. Set the stitch width at 2.5 and length at 4.0. Set machine for medium speed and reduce tension to 2.2
      ~DO NOT DROP FEED DOGS.
   4. Sew along the stitching lines.
   5. Carefully pull apart the two layers and cut along the pulled stitches between the layers.