JANOME has chosen the color red as their trademark color. It appears on their packaging, their notions, their machines, their website logo, and so much more. The color red also gives us clues as to how to use certain products they create for their machines.
I sew garments, home decor, quilts, machine embroidery, and personal accessories. I often need to change the needle and the bobbin case depending on what fabric I am using, what thread type and thickness I am using, what stabilizers I choose, and so much more. Nothing is stagnant with me when I am creating with my JANOME machine. I require the flexibility the machine can offer me when that creative mood strikes me.
JANOME has three different bobbin cases for their machines and they are all color coded for the type of sewing you are doing. The red dot case is meant to be used for general sewing projects. This case gets used the most frequently. Be sure to look for the colored marking on the case to make sure you are using the correct one for the type of stitching you are doing.
I suggest to students to have a second case on hand so they can switch it out if it gets damaged during sewing. Damage usually happens when you break a needle and it hits the bobbin case. This can pierce the case or simply leave a rough mark on the case. The thread will catch on these areas and cause all kinds of trouble with the bobbin thread.
JANOME also makes red tip needles. The red tip needle is recommended for dense embroidery designs and thicker fabrics. It is a size 14 needle with as slightly larger eye that can accommodate those tricky thicker threads.
The color coding of the products helps me to make a quick choice. There is another time when I rely on my JANOME machine to help me when I am “seeing red”. I ‘see red’ when I end up with a thread nest in the bobbin area and it is difficult to remove the project from the machine to clean up the thread jam. My JANOME MC15000 machine has a needle plate that pops off with a simple touch of a button on the base of the machine. This makes it so easy to remove the thread jam and continue stitching without affecting my project in the process. This is an absolute miracle for me!
Janome Life 
I see red quite a lot! I like to use the satin stitch F foot on my Skyline S5 often because of the little red dot on it. I just made a box cushion for my sewing chair and needed a seam so close to the edge to make the box and it worked perfectly! Here’s the photo.
/Users/kaytbones/Desktop/IMG_4830.JPG
LikeLike
Hi Kay,
Yes, we like that handy little red guide too! Thanks for sharing.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
LikeLike
Hi Charmaine
I have tried repeatedly to respond to your comment but your email is not accepting my communications. Sorry.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
LikeLike
I have the MC 15000. The manual states to use the “yellow” bobbin case when using NON Janome bobbin thread for embroidering. Which bobbin case should you use when using using Janome bobbin thread for embroidering? I joined several Janome groups on Facebook and many stated they use the “yellow” bobbin case for all embroidery regardless which type of bobbin thread is used. Thanks!
LikeLike
Hi Sandy,
The yellow dot bobbin case is for any bobbin thread including self wound Janome bobbin thread. The yellow dot bobbin case is not needed for JANOME PRE-WOUND bobbins which are already tightly wound enough. These are the facts. There is unfortunately some misinformation and misunderstanding about this topic. Please do not rely on online groups unless they are official Janome sites. We have tried to correct this on several posts on janomelife + at our presentations as dealer’s stores and sewing shows across Canada.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
LikeLike
Hi Liz,
Thank you so much clarifying when to use the “yellow” dot bobbin case. I do have several Janome pre-wound bobbins – is it correct then to use the “red” dot bobbin case for those bobbins when embroidering? I ask because by accident today I use my “blue dot bobbin case with pre-wound Janome bobbins when embroidering and had no problems. I just love my Janome!
Sandy
LikeLike
Hi Sandy,
A Janome pre-wound bobbin is much tighter than one you wind yourself so if you use the red bobbin case that is fine for Janome pre-wounds only. For all other bobbins for embroidery: ones you wind yourself with Janome or other bobbin thread, please use the yellow dot bobbin case as recommended. The blue dot bobbin case is a LOWER tension than the red and a lot lower than the yellow. With a pre-would Janome bobbin it was probably OK and under some circumstances would work but depending on the thread or fabric, you may run into issues. You CAN use your blue dot bobbin case for quilting in the hoop if you digitize or use a hand look quilt stitch. Other than that, I would not use the blue dot bobbin case for embroidery. But for free motion quilting and the hand look quilt stitch in sewing mode – I use it ALL the time.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
LikeLike
Your missed you chance to explain what all three bobbin cases are used for. Please comment o the other two and explain what they are used for. PLEASE!!!!! and Thank you.
LikeLike
Oh Dear! I just saw these comments now. I don’t know why they did not show up in my email earlier. Anyways, the three bobbin cases are the red, blue, and yellow dot cases. Any Janome dealer will have these available for purchase. The red dot case is for regular sewing, the yellow dot case has a slightly tighter tension and is recommended for use with self wound bobbins and used for embroidery, and the blue dot case is for free motions quilting, hand look stitches, and accufil quilting designs.
LikeLike
Hi Lamona,
We have done several posts on the Janome bobbin cases so please do a search on the home page of janomelife to find previous posts on this topic.
Liz
JANOME CANADA
LikeLike
I too love my Janome (an 8900). I’d like to know about the other two bobbin cases. And I’d love a great resource for how to sew with knit and stretch knit fabrics-what kind of thread, needle, do I need a stabilizer, what foot, etc. I have sewn and quilted with cotton all my life, but now have a grandchild and would love to make clothing for her, using the knits and stretch knits that her momma prefers. Thanks for any suggestions!
LikeLike