By: Janome Maker – Shereece Nicole
Hello, fibre friends! If we haven’t met yet, I’m Shereece Nicole of Sew Hooked on Treasures. This is my first time on the Janome blog can’t wait to get to know this community!
Since I just got the Horizon Memory Craft 9410QC, I thought I’d start off with some tips on what to do when you have a new machine. Most of these can be applied to domestic or long arm machines. Let’s get started!
Out with the Old
I know you’re ready to clear the decks for your new machine. Before you do so, do a quick clean up of your old machine. You don’t want to leave lint build up or it unoiled (if it calls for it) while it’s in storage. You can keep it around as a backup in case your new machine is in for service, to be used to travel for classes or retreats, or sell or donate it so it can continue to be loved on.
Also, do a quick clean up on your sewing table. Lint collects in the smallest places. Let’s create a fresh space for a fresh machine.
Ask for Directions
All new machines come with a manual. Before you even start your first project (hard right!), take some time to actually read up on the things you’re mostly commonly going to do/use on the machine: the parts, threading, bobbin placement and winding, stitches and functions and how to change them, maintenance and troubleshooting.
Quilters, be sure to go over the Patchwork Piecing section (page 123). Yes, there are settings on the machine just for you! They will help you with fantastic ¼” seams, especially with the ¼” Seam foot (O). The Free Motion Quilting (FMQ) and Appliqué functions on pages 124-127 (if you enjoy either) are a must read too.
Note: There is a plate change involved. My previous machine did not have multiple plates, so this was new to me. Be sure to review how to switch the plates on page 31. Janome has made it super simple! If you can’t get to a certain function on the screen, the plate is probably why. Menu functions will vary based on the plate you have on the machine.
The Memory Craft has a wonderful bobbin warning. You can set the warning in the stitch settings menu. Some of you (self included) like to play Bobbin Chicken – where you try to go as long as you can without changing the bobbin and hope it doesn’t run out before you’ve finished the seam. While you’re testing out the machine on a non-project, get a feel for how much thread is on the bobbin when the warning sounds and how comfortable you feel with the amount of thread left. I’ve learned that I can go 3-4 warnings while straight stitching before I want to change my bobbin. This will vary if you’re doing FMQ or appliqué.
My favorite find with this machine? Well, there’s 2 actually. First, is the Blind Hemming foot (G)! If you prefer to do your binding by machine, this foot creates the perfect placement of your stitches an ⅛” from the edge of your binding.
The second would be the mock Sashiko stitching. I have not tried it as of this post. However, you better believe there is a post coming just for this!
When something goes wrong, oftentimes it throws you into a panic. So you don’t have to go looking for it, it’s a good idea to mark the Troubleshooting page. No thinking, just getting to a solution.
Practice Makes Better
You may not want your first project to be challenging or complicated. First, test out the machine on some scrap fabric. Then move into something beginner-friendly. For you quilters, maybe something like a pillow, wall hanging, table runner or even just a single block to get you comfortable with your new machine.
For the WIPs or PHDs you have hanging around, I recommend finishing those on the machine you started them on. I know a ¼” is supposed to be a ¼”. However, there are slight nuances with machines on how they sew. Just in case, using the previous machine will keep things consistent.
Welcome Your Baby
I’ve always felt, if we love our machines, they will love us. One simple way I do that, besides keeping her clean, is to give them a name. There are many different ways to choose. It could be just a name you like, somehow related to the make or model (meet Meena the Memory Craft), based on the color and so on.
Is there anything else you love to do when you get a new machine? I’d appreciate hearing about it! Please reach out to me on Instagram, Facebook or by email!
Stitch on me hearties, 💕
