Janome My Excel 3018 (MW18) Questions & Answers (page 2 of 3)

Hi,
It could be a number of things. Taking the machine to a sewing machine service centre would be great. They usually have one at every sewing centre. Our local one has a guy who picks up several machines once a week and drops them back off in a few days. They are brilliant at fixing things and usually cost $50-$100 but well worth it.
To me it sounds like the feed dogs (the two parallel metal ridged things that feed the material into the machine when sewing) has got jammed up with cotton, fluff, or dust. This does happens sometimes and can be cleared usually. But if your not sure let the expert do it. Plus they service them at the same time, which gives your machine a new lease on life.

Hi Robyn; you can drop the feed dogs using the switch on the back of the machine, just behind the needle plate.

You could try EBay, there are a few on there. You could do a search on the Internet. I downloaded a copy for mine, then I found my book. Janome themselves don't seem to keep the older manuals, though I wish you could print them off from there!
Also go onto faceBook and ask if anyone has one they can photocopy for you.
Other than that I'm not sure. Sorry I'm not much help.
Lynn

make sure the bobbin on the botton is wound evenly rather than sloppy and loose. get a scrap fabric and run it through, while adjusting the tension dials to find the right setting for that fabric. also make sure the needle is sharp, maybe put a new needle in, and the baseplate is not scratched up too much.. hope it helps!!

I had the same problem and it was a poorly wound bobbin to blame. I also hadn't threaded the bobbin properly so it was bouncing when I began to sew. Working fine again now.

It's ok, I found my manual, not that it helped me with what I wanted lol. I found the answer looking through YouTube. I used a zigzag stitch that worked perfectly and stretches beautifully.

Hi Grams2 - the stretch stitch on the Janome MyExcel is stitch number 14, one to the right of the straight stitch.

Thank you, yep I found it it after doing a lot of searching and trial and error. Very happy to have learned something new lol.

It is always loose. Make sure your machine is dust free, your bobbin thread is wound on firmly and neatly and the bobbin is inserted / threaded correctly. Double check your tension too.

Hi Laurel, there can be a number of reasons why your machine could skip stitches. It can depend upon the cotton, the upper and lower tension, the fabric, the needle you are using and if your machine is free of lint and is oiled. If you can describe the circumstances when your machine skips stitches, I can try to assist you to resolve it.

Thank you, I will clean, oil and rethread and hopefully resolve it! Doesn't happen all the time, just once in a while! Laurel

If you have tried rethreading the bobbin (with new load of thread), adjusted the tension wheel lying vertical from the needle, and it still doesn't work properly, then my best guess is that the issue may be inside. A service should only cost you about $90 (plus parts if needed), my best advice would be to take it to a Janome carrier sewing machine shop for service.

Hey. I had the exact same issue. There is a switch you move backwards and forwards at the back of machine that lowers the feed dogs. Move that a few times and it should work. Mine now does.

I would recommend it. They still make this model, its been around for about 20yrs. Its great for a quilter or home sewer. If you doing a lot of denims or thick fabrics, it will need the right needles and will require some TLC after. In 16 years, I have sent my machine in for a service twice, once after sewing thick vinyl. :( On the whole, It was the machine that got me over a fear of sewing machines (in the beginning) and handles me my more complex tasks easily.

I really enjoy this sewing machine and it has some nice features. Unlike Tezzi, I found this machine to struggle with heavier materials and I don't like the zipper foot as it doesn't allow to sew tight on invisible zips. It's also slower than my 1988 Bernina, which is amazing and sews everything like a dream. Having said that, it is a good machine and for many hobbyists, I think it would be an easy machine to use.

I have never oiled my machine in 15 years. If it gets lubricated it is when it gets a service.

The manual states the machine does not need oiling.

You can use either metal or plastic as long as it fits. It must be a high profile bobbin that spins freely but doesnt wobble in the bobbin holder.

Thanks, Karen. You don't happen to know which ones would be the original, do you?

I just recently purchased this machine and it came with plastic bobbins

What do mean by cross stitch?

Open the lid on top of the machine where the spare feet are kept and on the lid it shows the stitches and how to set them with regard to stitch length and width.

Georgiana, cross stitches as in 'XXXXX' in a row which as so suitable for stretchy material and won't break as a straight line of stitching will.

Thank you for that Karen, but sadly it didn't help. There has to be some trick I can't find as the needle just sits there smiling at me and going in a straight line no matter how much I have copied those instructions.
Do you have any other ideas that might help?
Best wishes
Carolyn

The first thing you need to check is whether the needle is correctly aligned. If your mother has changed the base plate Ove to one where there is only a central hole for the needle to go through (which is used in types of quilting and embroidery, freehand) you might have an alignment issue with the needle. You might need to check the needle position.

If the needle position is right, you might need to check that you are installing the needle properly, as in it is inserted all the way into the housing. Failing that, you may be using the wrong needle for your fabric, or the wrong foot in which the needle is being pulled out of shape by the fabric.

There can be other issues but let me know if any of those were useful.

Hiya, I had that happen when I tried to pull thick fabric through. If it keeps happening ALL the time, change out the needle plate, new needle, then slowly check the alignment. If it's still out, get it serviced.
Good luck.

Above and to the right of the needle mechanism, underneath the rows of stitches, there should be a little lever which you can raise to adjust the height of the foot. You can also select a lower pressure on the pressure adjustment dial inside the lift up lid on the top. The dial is to the left.

Check the upper and lower tensions. Refer to the manual.

You could try the Janome web site

Thank you Brendan I saw that posted further up and have sent them an email. Thanks again

Try eBay

You get a small screw driver use it to loose current needle then take that needle out n insert new needle flat side facing back

Ours is 2 years old now and our daughters is a year old. You can still buy them but they have been making them for a long time, which is good if it ever needs a part

It is quite old model but best machine though, runs very well, easy to use, never gives any problem.

My Excell 23 has more built in stitches but is not as strong or well built as the My Excell 18. The My Excell 23 is no longer made,

Select straight stitch n begin to sew. If u mean how to maintain a straight stitch line then use the markings on the bobbin cover or stick a tape across vertically n guide the fabric as along the tape. I usually do this. Hope this helps!