Janome 1200D Questions & Answers

They work well. I've used them to stitch elastic when making fitted sheets. Really it depends how much they cost (mine were included with the machine) and how much use you have for one. as you could still tension the elastic with your hand for small one-off jobs. A needle to match the elastic and fabric is essential, as is stitch length and/or differential feed. HTH. ;-)

What needle type did you use? make sure the flat side of the needle is facing the correct way and the needle is pushed up to the stop, before tightening the screw. This is in the manual with diagrams to make it easy to follow.

Lastly, I would remove all threads and start again, it can be tricky to thread one spool if you aren't totally familiar with the machine. A good tip when testing overlockers is to thread each path with different coloured thread, then tie off with your preferred colours once it is stitching correctly. Hope this helps? ;-)

I agree with you nan nat. Check you have the correct needle, they do not use the regular domestic needle ( would be easier if they did). Rethread especially looper threads inside to out. Good luck

Thanks ladies. I put 2 new needles in from the ones supplied with the machine. They are the same size. Checked and rechecked needle and threads redone. It will not even stitch at all. I spent hours on it yesterday and last night trying to locate the problem. :( Thank you for responding. Do you think the needle may have thrown something out?

I have had problems too. For me the issue was that the R1 needle needed to go up higher into its hole. I had it too low. It was very stiff to do so, but once i got the R1 needle properly into its slot i was back in business with 5-thread stitch.

Does it run? They have a gear through the middle that needs to be cleaned and regressed by a janome service person after a lot of sewing. This is part of the basic service. Check the doors are closed properly or the ‘catch’ that indicates the doors are closed isn’t damaged. If it does run, I had a similar problem but realised I forgot to thread the underlooper properly. Go back the the manual and check the correct bits are threaded under the plate. Good luck

Thanks took it to be checked

Hi Marilynn, Yes this seems to be the main issue with this machine, maybe Janome tried to do too much in the one hit and unfortunately crashed on all 10 programes, didn't get one right!! I have tried all the recommendations, special needles, special thread...it's all tooo precious for a sewing machine at that price it should march through all!! ...as all my other machines do. This is the most complicated little number ever...it'll chew and break wooly thread...eat fabric, get you really excited when your cover stitch actually works and if it gets to the end of your work...you'll be ecstatic, the down side is you may not be able to release the fabric if it's in the round!! and give you extreme stress...requiring medication!!!......My 1200D now has a place in the back of a cupboard..what a pity as, to look at it's quite impressive, but no...it causes me both stress from using and also the hefty price I paid for it!!!....never again...no more Janome!!!!..............In total answer to your question..I would buy another machine that actually works and put it down to one of those really bad decisions!!!

Hi Marilyn, Quality thread does make a difference. Cheap overlocking threads will snap. Wooly nylon? Would only use on high stetch Lycra. I had the same problem of the left needle thread snapping on wide coverstitch . I used the clear coverstitch foot and loosened the tension slightly and changed the needle. It helped. If your sewing through lots of layers you might need a heavier needle too.

Make sure you cover your machine when not In use and clean I between the tension discs at the top regularly.. Lint and dust settles in them and effects the tension and grips the thread unevenly. This can also lead to missed stitches. Don't blow the dust with your mouth. Moisture from your breath can mix with the dust and stick to the metal.

On very hot humid days my machine misbehaves and tensions go a bit funny.

Hope it helps cheers Izzy.

Hi Marilynn I don't use the wide cover hem very often but have had the issue before with the narrow cover hem. I was beyond happy when I resolved the issue! For me it was as simple as adjusting the SL number. It said a 3 but depending on fabric and thread I tend to be between 4-5 and it made all the difference for the problem I was having. It either snapped the thread or started to unravel it was very frustrating. Funnily enough I found the answer in the instruction book that came with the machine.

I hope this helps. I truly love this machine and hope you get to know it well enough to love it too.

Gijam, Izzy and Alexandra,

Thank you for your feed back!

Marilynn

I tried wooly nylon, it didn't help. I have countless problems and am really disappointed with this machine, I spend countless hours with threading, changing needles, just had it fixed, got home and it isn't any better.