In today’s blog post I’ll share some of the special electronic/ computerized features of the fabulous new Janome Quilt Maker Pro 18 long-arm quilting machine.
Part 1 of this series introduced the Janome Quilt Maker Pro 18 long-arm quilting machine and discussed the advantages which help you reduce those UFOs (unfinished quilts) by getting your quilts DONE quickly and easily, while having a lot of fun, too! Quilting should be FUN, shouldn’t it? This just in…..UFO invasion!? Gasp! Never fear, Janome to the rescue!
Part 2 focused on the anatomy of the frame and described how to load the layers of your quilt. You’ll never have to pre-baste again. Part 2 of UFO invasion! Janome to the quilting rescue!
The Janome Quilt Maker Pro 18 long-arm quilting machine has the advantage of some pretty sophisticated computerized technology, yet offers the same ease of use as the rest of the Janome line. For convenience, there’s a touch screen on both the front and the back of the machine head so the same controls are available no matter what style of quilting you’re doing – free-motion quilting from the front side of the frame or following a paper pantograph with the included laser light on the back side of the frame.
The Janome Quilt Maker Pro 18 long-arm quilting machine offers a lot of flexibility in whatever quilting style and type you desire at the time. Many of us want the reassurance of consistent stitches, so yes, there is a stitch regulator built-in to the machine and can stitch an impressive 2200 stitches per minute. Though the Janome Quilt Maker Pro 18 is compact, it really packs a punch.
Through the Regulated mode you can increase or decrease your stitch length and can choose between two modes of stitching–Precision or Cruise. The Precision Mode means the needle will stop stitching as soon as you stop moving the machine head. Cruise Mode however, means the needle will continuously cycle up and down even when you stop moving the machine head. Think of it as idling your car. The motor is running, but you aren’t going anywhere.
Why the difference? Again, each has a purpose to match YOUR quilting style. For example, I like using the Cruise Mode for when I’m going to do free-motion stars as an all-over pattern and I know I’m going to be taking off in all directions at high speeds (which is how I like to quilt ). Because the Cruise Mode means my needle is always cycling up and down, it drops an extra little stitch in the corner before I take off in another direction so I never have to worry about my corners being rounded off. They are always sharp and precise.
Want more flexibility and control? Then perhaps you’d rather stitch in the Manual mode, where YOU become the stitch regulator. A Simple touch of the screen is all it takes and you’re off and running / stitching.
Manual mode means the motor is running at a consistent speed, but in true Janome fashion, with the simple touch of a button you can increase or decrease the speed based on whatever kind of quilting you want to do. You also have speed controls on the handles, too.
The wonderful thing about the Janome Quilt Maker Pro 18 is that it’s one machine, but it can be changed and adapted to accommodate any style/ type of quilting so you’ll never outgrow it.
The Tools tab contains another series of customizable options.
The programmable Low Bobbin indicator can be set for different thread types/ weights and you can decide how much thread is left on the bobbin before the alarm sounds. Think it like the gas gauge light on your car. Some like to stop and fill-up as soon as the light goes off, while others drive on fumes before they truly have to pull over. You’re in the driver’s seat with the Janome Quilt Maker Pro 18, it’s your machine, so you can set the controls as you wish. You can even record the settings for three of your favourite, most-used threads which saves time and eliminates the guesswork so there’s more time spent on quilting.
I love that there’s even a System Info tab which tells you how many stitches the machine has done, both by project (which you can reset) and by over-all lifetime of the machine. It’s like recording the Kilometres on your car. Janome thinks of everything!
Be sure to come back for Part 4 of this series on the Janome Quilt Maker Pro 18 quilting machine when I’ll talk more about the optional computer/ robotics program, The Quilt Maker Pro Stitcher now available. The Quilt Maker Pro Stitcher is yet another tool which helps you complete your quilts fast and easy with even more fun. UFO’s? What UFOs?
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