Setting up a new sewing machine is exciting. Please take time to learn its personality and differences. I have set up many new Juki machines and hope this will help. The very first thing to do is oil it. Juki loves oil. Make sure when you oil the bobbin case you put the oil exactly where it is shown on page 28, inside of the hook. This enables the oil to move through the bobbin unit.

Check your pressure regulator window (#2, page 7), and dial it down so that the line is at about the 2nd line down from the top. This keeps the pressure loose so that your quilt moves easily through the machine.

I always use a Schmetz needle so I change my needle right away. I use a Schmetz Quilting Needle 90/14 for the majority of my quilting and a Schmetz Topstitch 90/14 for decorative and metallic threads.

Tension. Tension settings are very easy to deal with on the Juki. You are in complete control of both top and bottom tension at all times. Just remember that right is tight and left is loose. Refer to Superior Threads enclosed handout on setting your tension. My top tension sits at about 1 ? to 1 ? . This is the little line on the tension dial (#5 on page 7). Make sure your presser foot is DOWN when dialing in your top tension. The bobbin tension is set by adjusting the small screw on the top (see page 21). Think of this screw as the face of a clock. If the line on your screw is at, let?s say 3 o?clock, and you need to tighten or loosen your tension, only turn it up or down about ? hour?s worth. Only do a little bit at a time and always remember where you started!

I like to keep my stitch length dial (#11 page 7) set at \"0\" when doing free motion quilting. I have it set at about 2ish when doing my even feed work.

Last, but not least, keeping your machine clean! The book recommends that you oil your machine every day. I do not. I sew about 4-5 hours per day and have found that a good oiling and cleaning once a week has worked well. Be sure to take off the top plate (#8 page 7) and clean out dust. Take off the bottom plate under the machine and dust there too. ALWAYS do a test run of quilting on scrap fabric after oiling your machine. The oil works through the gears and will come up with your bobbin thread. Sometimes a small lint ball will come up with the thread too which is normal.

If you have any questions or need some trouble shooting help, you are more than welcome to e-mail me. Be sure to reference the Juki in the subject line so I do not delete you! I know you will absolutely love your new machine as I have enjoyed using mine for years.

Happy Quilting!

Cindy Needham