Janome Sewing Tutorial 1- The Bobbin
I can't say enough great things about the Janome Sew Mini sewing machine for card making! The best place to begin is at the beginning.
Basic Setup
How many of you bought this great little machine? How many of your machines still look like this?
Well, it's time to take it out of the box. Go get it...i'll wait....
Okay. When you open the box, inside you will find everything you need except thread.
In the picture, you see the machine, the manual and warranty, the power supply, the foot pedal and a small bag of bobbins, a needle threader and an extra needle. (pictured below)
To begin, plug in the foot pedal. Use this top hole of the right side of the machine.
Then, plus in your power supply using the hole under it on the right side of the machine.
Put the pedal on the ground and plug the machine into the wall.
The Bobbin
Don't be afraid of the bobbin. It's easy to make one and you can have a couple of them so you can make three different colors. Extra bobbins are available for purchase at Hancock fabrics.
To begin, find the thread holder. It's on the back of the machine. Not on the top like many other sewing machines.
Open it up by pushing on it.
Then, put your thread on the holder. It doesn't really matter which way the thread comes off the spool. I tried it both ways and it worker the same. So just stick it on there.
Then, wrap your thread around this.
Next, pull the thread through your bobbin like this. There is a little hole on the bobbin. Pull your thread through the little whole and let it hang out of the top.
Then, place the bobbin on the bobbin threader like this.
See how I am holding on the the thread that was hanging out of the top?
Next, push the bobbin to the right like this.
Keep holding the loose end of the thread up and press your foot pedal. The bobbin with start to wind Don't hold the thread taunt. Just hold it so it doesn't fly out of the bobbin or you will have to re thread it through that little hole. Once it's wound around the bobbin a little bit and no longer loose, you can cut off the loose piece you've been holding on to.
Can you see the thread going up?
That's the one I am holding on to as the machine is winding the bobbin.
Here is where I cut it off and continue to wind a little more. 
You don't have to fill your bobbin for single cards and scrapbook pages. You just need it about 1/4-1/2 way full. This way, if you want to change colors, you can unwind the rest without too much thread waste. However, keep in mind that if you use certain colors a lot, like white, black and brown, you may want to fill those bobbins all the way so you don't have to alway be making bobbins.
Then, push the bobbin back to the left and take it off the threader.
So that's your basic set up and making a bobbin. I will be back in a little bit with the next tutorial called, "threading the machine." In that tutorial, you will learn the thread path and how to insert the bobbin and "take it up." Then, we'll move on to sewing!
Stay tuned!
Hugs,
Gina K.
OMG! This is SEW WONDERFUL! Thank you!!
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I read and read the tutorial; then I printed it off. It will be helpful in many ways for the sewing group at our church. We stamp and sew and I always borrow a machine, and I hope that someone wins this that will use it.
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GINA!!
You are AWESOME!! I ordered this sewing machine immediately after you posted that you bought one. It is still in the box, as I was hoping for more directions from you!! I have NEVER sewed in my life, but I can't wait to give it a try!! I love the looks of sewn cards, but with my limited (null) skills and no machine (until now) ... well, you see the problem!!
Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!!
You are NUMBER 1 in my book!
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Thank you for doing this tutorial!!!!! My Janome looks just like theone in the first picture.
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Gina K ~
Is there any brand of thread you recommend most for sewing on paper?
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In my experience it is always best to use a good thread like Gutterman and you will have fewer problems with your machine. I don't have any luck with coats & clark. It balls up and causes problems and makes me never to want to sew again!
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WOW Gina, this is like going to sewing class at home. I will have to keep these tutorials as I haven't purchased it yet. I wanted to see if I could handle it. I am not good at sewing. Once I tried to stitch up a ball for my nephew. I had it all set on the machine, hit the foot petal.. and let out an OUCH.. I got my finger instead of the ball. What a laugh for the day right...
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You should offer your tutorial to Janome. I have a degree in home economics and have sewn for years, but this is great for the non sewer. No one should be afraid to use their machine after this. Those instruction books are terribly lacking in visuals. This is so great that you are doing this to share with everyone. I really like the look of sewing on cards, but don't do it very often because I stamp downstairs and sew upstairs. I just may have to get me one of these little machines to keep closer for crafting.
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great tutorial even I could understand that. Looking forward to seeing more
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gina this iz th bomb u roc gurl thanxs for the how to i evin thinc i cud do it cant wat for the rest have a grate da sta worm and dri
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OHHH Gina I'm nervous!! I don't have this machie my MIL gave me a very simple Kenmore machine but I can't use it cause because I can't thread my machines and have no clue what I'm doing!!! OHHH I soo want to sew on my cards... OK I'm gonna get me one of these.. so you can hold my hand and I can FINALLY sew on my cards!! (((HUGS)) and many thanks for doing this for us.
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So you're actually going to make me get it out of the box? Okay, here I go, right along with you . . .
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Gina, you need to take care of those fab hands of yours. They do so much for your art...it's time to reward them!! Neutrogena now makes a fast absorbing cream that will be perfect for you!
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BWAHHH! I was just thinking that myself. Look at those dried out things! LOL!
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You amaze me Gina! You know us so well. I already sew, but there are alot of cool tools that I have purchased and they are still in the boxes because it's HARD to figure out directions for things I've never used before. That is the best tutorial I have seen for setting up a machine. You are such a fabulous teacher! Thank you!!
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You should be SAINTED for this!!! This is SOOOO helpful, (I did take mine out of the box, but that's as far as it went!) I used to sew a lot, but seeing someone DO the steps makes it so much less intimidating!!! You are WONDERFUL!!!
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WOW, I want one! I need a small one for my stamp room! This is the perfect size! Thanks for the great tut also!
hugz
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Wow!!! I'm lovin' all these close-ups and details!!! Thank you so much!!! A Jenome is definitely and officially on my "need" list!!!
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I am so glad you did this tutorial for us. I don't own this machine, but have been contimplating getting it. Thanks so much for sharing!!!
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Great job Gina! IF I had a sewing machine like this, it would be in the box! I'm so sewing challenged (shirt needs a button throw it away and get a new shirt) and this is an awesome tutorial! I may actually go out and get a machine like this one, since I have pictures to go by!! Thank you SO much!!
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Thanks for the chance to win..now to just get picked! deidrelm@hotmail.com
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Don't need to enter me in the drawing. Just wanted to say that the tutorial is great! I've heard great things about this machine! Good luck everyone!
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This is terrific, Gina, thanks! My machine would still be in the box if I had one! Now you are inspiring me to find one to buy (and take out of the box!). Can't wait to see the rest of your tutorial.
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Oh my gosh! I just looked under my craft table and sure enough. I have a box that looks exactly like the one you showed at the top of this post! I've never taken mine out of the box!!! I don't even know how long I've had mine! Blush, Blush. I'll be the one reading through all four postings, now. As always, thanks for the inspiration!
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ahhhh so that is the secret to getting that machine to work.......get it out of the box!!!! Why didn't I think of that. Great tutorial!! Thanks Barb S.
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great tutorials, this machine looks sew simple to use, anyone could use it.
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Love love this machine..so small,yet
complete, even a teen just starting could use this. How GREAT!
Thanks so much for the tutorial. Looking forward to more.
Thanks
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I read a tip awhile back to use "clear" thread in your bobbin. This way you don't have to change out the color with whatever color thread you want to use on your card. It is like a thin fishing line. I have been using it for awhile now and it works great.
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Great tutorial! Now if I could just win one. I would love, love, love to have one. Thanks so much for the tutorial.
Melinda
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I have been sewing for many years, but this was a very good tutorial. I didn't think about paper lint being hard on my regular sewing machine. Thanks for all your work.
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Loved the post. Great tutorial. I have a machine that I use for sewing. Making the bobbin on that machine works the same. It is nice to have the pictures to look back on if you have difficulties. TFS.
Sonya
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Where did you buy the machine? My dh bought me a big machine a few years ago for the same purpose and needless to say it's never been used except by him. hahaha. But I would try that one out and follow your directions.
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thank you so so so much! you are wonderful writing instructions, i've moved recently and i've lost my manual....
thank you so much
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This is fabulous! I have had one of these for over 6 months. My mom tried to show me how to do it and we messed it up. So this morning I saw this and got it out, fixed it and I just threaded the bobbin. You have wonderful instructions!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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Great tutorial! I am still in the infancy phase of stamping/card making and constantly adding to my supplies. d I love this machine. Where can I purchase or order one from it? ~T. Lett
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